Carol Benfield is an old school friend of Janie Blakey's. She also went to school with Joe Sugden. She arrives in Beckindale when she is invited by Janie for lunch. They plan to start a drama group and put on a play at the church bazaar. Carol meets Joe for the first time in years and takes a shine to him and they soon begin dating. Carol wanted to marry Joe but this never came to pass and they ended their relationship.
In December 1973, Janie got a letter from Carol to say that she had gone to Africa with someone and was staying out there.