Alfred Sidney "Alf" Roberts O.B.E. was an Independent Councillor in Weatherfield, husband of Audrey Roberts and longtime proprietor of the Corner Shop in Coronation Street. Although he began his working life as a member of the sorting office staff at the GPO, Alf's life changed drastically when his wife Phyllis died of cancer in September 1972 and when he was chosen as Mayor of Weatherfield for a one year term in 1973, at the time intended to be the final person to hold the position. In March 1978, Alf married Corner Shop owner Renee Bradshaw, and the following year left the GPO to help Renee at the shop. In 1980, the Roberts sold the shop in preparation for a move, but when Renee was killed in a car accident, Alf held onto the shop and ran it himself, putting his heart and soul into the p