Harry Bates was the father of Terry and Doreen Bates and the common-law husband of Rita. Harry was with Rita long enough for her to be looked upon as the only mother Harry's children knew, and for several years she was their main parent as Harry worked as a driver on building sites and was away for much of the time. In his absence, Rita sometimes entertained men at the Bates residence, including Ken Barlow and Len Fairclough.