Stanley "Nobby" Clarke was the husband of Olive Clarke and the old army friend of Percy Sugden. In March 1993, Olive contacted Percy to inform him of Nobby's death some twelve months ago, having seen his photograph in a women's magazine following the "Man in your Life" competition. She also visited him and the pair reminisced about Nobby.
In September, Percy received an invitation to Olive's wedding to Edwin Turner. Percy saw the marriage as an insult to Nobby, but begrudgingly attended the ceremony regardless.