Stephen Fuller had an affair with Dolly Skilbeck in 1988. He was a lumberjack who initially showed interest in the tree plantation at Home Farm and locked horns with Jack Sugden over it. Jack said the trees belong to Beckindale but Steve said they would only cut down trees that were ready to be cut down. Alan Turner and Joe Sugden raised lots of money with the sale of the trees. Dolly Skilbeck was sick of her husband Matt Skilbeck's lack of ambition, and lack of support when their dream home burned down, so she sought solace in Stephen. Dolly visited him at the Forresters Cottage, where she was spotted by Joe Sugden. Stephen and Dolly split amicably and he left for Scotland. However Matt found out about the affair, and Dolly had to face his wrath. Matt and Dolly later papered over the cracks and tried to make their marriage work.
He was killed by a falling tree in November 1988. Dolly was devastated, and this caused more friction between her and Matt. Dolly attended Stephen's funeral.