As Caroline takes over The Woolpack, Alan eagerly awaits the arrival of her replacement - the lovely Denise. But Denise isn't quite the woman that he was hoping. As he awaits her arrival, Joe says Denise could not make it do he has Tony. Alan thinks it is a woman called Toni, but he is then peeved to be met by Tony Marchant, a man. Tony is the nephew of NY Estates director Christopher Meadows, although initially he does not tell Alan. Alan sulks at having a male secretary and makes life hell for Tony.