 Over the series, it became clear to Rodney and the viewers (but not always to Del) that Joan had had a series of affairs with numerous men during her loveless marriage to Del's selfish, work-shy father, Reg.One such affair was with local "gentleman thief" Freddie Robdal, and resulted in the birth of Rodney.She died on 12 March 1964 (according to "The Yellow Peril") of an unknown illness while Rodney was still very young.