Charlie Palmer was the husband of Carol Palmer and the father of RAF pilot Jeff Palmer. He and his wife took in Jeff's widow Claire and their granddaughter Becky after his death in a hangar fire.
In August 1996, Charlie and Carol received a visit from Claire's new partner Des Barnes. Charlie opened up to Des about Jeff's death and the impact it had on the family. Charlie and Carol were upset to learn that Claire hadn't told Des the details of Jeff's death. Claire was surprised to find Des with her in-laws and became defensive when questioned why she hadn't been open with Des about Jeff's death. Claire insisted that she hadn't told Des as she didn't think he would have been bothered. Claire argued with her in-laws and decided to move out of their house and in with Des at 6 Coronation Street. The next day Carol visited Claire who apologised for her outburst but refused to return. As a peace gesture Carol presented Becky with a framed picture of her and Jeff.
When Charlie and Carol paid Claire and Des a visit in December for Becky's birthday party they discovered that the couple were feuding with neighbours Derek and Mavis Wilton. As part of the feuding Derek delighted in telling the Palmers about Des keeping drugs but realised that he had gone too far as the revelation spoiled Becky's party. After the party Charlie reported Claire to the RAF as he believed that Des had been using her widow's RAF pension for his own uses. Claire was horrified to receive a letter from the RAF revealing that they were going to review her pension and she feared that she would be prosecuted as a result.
Days later Charlie paid another visit to No.6 but upon finding a bloodied Sean Skinner at the residence, who had been beaten up by thugs outside his Bookies, he came to the conclusion that Claire was mixing in bad circles and spoke out against Des - whom he labelled a chancer. As a result of his outburst Claire correctly guessed that it had been Charlie who had shopped her to the RAF and threw him out. Charlie returned the next day and begged Des to forgive him as he feared Claire would stop him from seeing Becky. Des forgave him but Claire still gave him the cold shoulder.
List of appearances[]
1996