Philip Harper was a young lad who went on a date with Tricia Hopkins in January 1976. The date kept Tricia away from the Corner Shop flat while her flatmate Gail Potter's telephone stalker John Lane was there in the guise of a GPO engineer, frightening Gail half to death. Philip and Tricia had just arrived back in Coronation Street after stopping off at a chippy when the police arrived, having been called by Emily Bishop. Tricia was relieved when the police car pulled up for at least one reason - it was only then that her overly amorous date stopped trying to kiss her.