Dan was a violent rigger, who along with his mates Duffer and Joss, who caused a serious fight in Coronation Street.
The three men were working on a new supermarket on Rosamund Street and seemed intent in provoking everyone they came across when they went for a dinner time drink in the Rovers. Their first targets were Minnie Caldwell, Val Barlow and Concepta Hewitt when they bumped into the three ladies as they were kicking a can in an impromptu game of football. Duffer knocked Val to one side and was told off by the other two women. Minnie was advised to mind her own business, while Duffer commented that Val seemed like a woman who liked a bit of rough and Concepta had her Irish accent insulted. Albert Tatlock was their next focus, being made to step in the gutter when they refused to let him pass. Then it was the turn of Harry Hewitt who held his ground as the men made fun of his chauffer’s uniform.
Jack Walker let them into the Rovers under the threat of barring them if they didn’t behave but that didn’t stop them commenting on Annie’s age. Duffer showed a far more threatening side when he threatened to kick Charlie Moffitt’s dog Little Titch in the face, claiming the animal was unhygienic to be in a pub. Much to Annie’s consternation, Len Fairclough followed Ena Sharples in, expecting him to be the one who would lose his temper with the three men. It didn’t take him long to rise to the bait when they picked on Ena, calling her an “old bag” and saying she drank her pension away. Duffer took offence when Len warned him off, and challenged him and any two mates to a fight at 8.00pm that night.
It was then that all the men of the street showed their mettle by refusing to join Len, all making various excuses not to help him. Fortified with a double whisky, he faced the three amused men alone as Annie dialled the police and the younger men wrestled with the consciences. Ena tried to prevent any violence breaking out with sharp words, but Len and Minnie made her move away, just before Duffer got the first punch in on Len. Val physically barred Ken from leaving No.9 as their neighbour took a pasting until Stan and Hilda Ogden returned from being out for the day and Stan joined in the fracas with glee. Even though it was still three against two, Stan’s bulk and skill with his fists and soon turned the tables. The builders, although bested, retreated to the Rovers expecting another drink but Jack threw them out with the threat of the soon-to-be arriving police.