In 1998, Fulton began to display symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. In 2001, his wife recalled that "he returned home and devastatingly informed her, "I can't remember my lines any more". In 2002, after being diagnosed with the disease, Fulton remained at his own home and fronted that year's Alzheimer Scotland Christmas appeal. He grew to depend on Kate more and more until, eventually, it was decided he move into the Quayside nursing home. In 2003, after breaking his hip in a fall, he was admitted to the Western Infirmary and then to Gartnavel Royal Hospital for assessment. After contracting the "superbug" MRSA and returning to Quayside, Fulton died peacefully on 27 January 2004, aged 79 years.