Original Coronation Street star Philip Lowrie dies aged 88

RTÉ News​

26-04-2025

Philip Lowrie, who appeared in the first episode of the soap in 1960 as the original bad boy Dennis Tanner, died on Friday, his publicist Mario Renzullo has confirmed.
"My client and very dear friend, Philip Lowrie, the beloved actor renowned for his role as Dennis Tanner on Coronation Street, passed away yesterday at 88," Mr Renzullo said in a statement.
"His death marks the end of an era for the world's longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling."
When the soap started more than six decades ago, Lowrie's character was seen as a national heartthrob thanks to his roguish role.
Dennis was introduced as the son of Elsie Tanner and moved in with his mother after being released from prison.
He left the Street in 1968, when he married Jenny Sutton and moved to Bristol, and did not return until 2011.
A statement for the ITV soap said the Coronation Street team is "saddened" by his death, and offered their "heartfelt condolences and sympathy to his loved ones".
They added that Lowrie's character was "iconic", and said when he returned, it "was an honour and a privilege to work with him".
According to Mr Renzullo, Lowrie was presented in September 2011 with a certificate by the Guinness World Records for being the person with the longest gap between television appearances as the same character in the same show.
Dennis soon got back in touch with newsagent Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox), who was his sweetheart when she first appeared in the show in 1966, and they tied the knot when he came back.
He left the soap again in 2014 and was later killed off without making another appearance on screen.
Lowrie had originally auditioned for the role of Ken Barlow before the show's launch, and appeared in the first episode at the age of 24.
William Roache was soon cast as Ken for the beginning of the soap and became a regular sparring partner for Dennis.
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, near Manchester, Lowrie's mother saved for his fees to go to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) in London after he left school.
After graduating three years later, he soon received his first parts in the West End, appearing with Margaret Rutherford and Peggy Mount in the play Farewell, Farewell, Eugene.
He also appeared on Victoria Wood's comedy shows, such as Victoria Wood's All Day Breakfast, Victoria Wood, Pat and Margaret, Live In Your Own Room, We'd Quite Like To Apologise, Victoria Wood As Seen On TV, and Wood And Walters.
His later stage lead roles in the 2000s and 2010s included being in Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, The Case Of The Frightened Lady and The Lady Vanishes.