Malcolm Reid and wife Joyce were neighbours of a young Audrey Potter in Richmond Road, Weatherfield, in the 1950s. The Reids and Potters were sufficiently close that when Audrey had an illegitimate son, Stephen, Malcolm and Joyce's offer to adopt him was taken up by Audrey's father, as it was felt that they could take better care of him. The family emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1960, with a tearful Audrey waving them off as they set sail from Liverpool.