Maureen Talbot was a serious woman who arrived at the Rovers Return for an interview when there was a barmaid job going in March 1989. Bet Gilroy was impressed with Maureen, remarking to Jack Duckworth that she was probably the world's most perfect barperson, but she didn't give her the job right away as she still had other applicants to see, including Tina Fowler who was eventually taken on.
While Maureen waited for Betty Turpin to fetch Bet, she got a taste of what she was letting herself in store for when Jack Duckworth introduced himself as the landlord "in all but name", a statement immediately followed by Bet ordering him to sweep the floor.