Sean Skinner grew up in Leicester, where his father had a toy shop. He offered Des Barnes a job after Des was sacked by Alex Christie when they were both having an affair with Tanya Pooley. Sean soon decided to open a betting shop in Rosamund Street. After Liz McDonald came to work at the bookies, Sean made a play for her - but she rejected him. However, she later resigned from the job when she found herself getting a little too attracted to Des.