Stephen Edward "Steve" Tanner was an American GI who had a relationship with Elsie Tanner when he was stationed in Burtonwood during World War II. They met up again in 1967, got married and emigrated to the USA, but the marriage fell apart when Elsie couldn't adjust to her new lifestyle and Steve didn't support her. When Elsie returned to Weatherfield, Steve went to see her to try to reconcile the marriage but was murdered by fellow serviceman Joe Donelli over gambling debts.