Russell "Russ" Gray is the son of Chris and Cheryl Gray. Lloyd Mullaney became involved with Cheryl in 2010 through her friend Leanne Battersby. He initially believed she was single but saw her with Russ and it was then she admitted she was married. Lloyd witnessed the close bond between Russ and Chris. Lloyd asked Cheryl and Russ to move in with him after she split from Chris due to him beating her. When Cheryl couldn't afford to get Russ a place at football camp, Lloyd did so as a friendly gesture. Cheryl later reluctantly agreed to let Chris see Russ again. Russ ran away when Cheryl and Lloyd slept together. Russ was found with Chris, who brawled with Lloyd after he called Chris a coward.