ITV Coronation Street legend dies aged 88 as publicist confirms ‘end of an era’ for soap
Philip Lowrie, one of Coronation Street’s original cast members, has died at the age of 88, his publicist has confirmed.
The actor, who played Dennis Tanner in the long-running ITV soap, passed away on Friday.
Lowrie appeared in the very first episode of the soap in 1960.
Mario Renzullo, Lowrie’s publicist and friend, shared the news of his passing in a heartfelt statement.
“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,” he said.
“His death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling.”
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Lowrie portrayed the charming rebel Dennis Tanner for eight years before departing in 1968, later returning to the cobbles in 2011 for a three-year stint.
Dennis was the son of Elsie Tanner, portrayed by Pat Phoenix, and was just 24 years old when he first appeared on the show.
The character was introduced as a teenage tearaway who had just been released from prison for petty theft from a newsagents.
He moved in with his mum in Weatherfield and later developed a relationship with show stalwart Rita, played by Barbara Knox.
Coronation Street creator Tony Warren said of the character: “In those streets there is always a bad ‘un, a wrong ‘un. And he was the wrong ‘un.”
Lowrie’s return to the soap in 2011 earned him a place in the Guinness World Records for the longest gap between television appearances as the same character in the same show.
The 43-year gap between his appearances on the cobbles marked a historic television milestone.
“I’ve always been proud to have been a member of the original cast of Coronation Street. Now I’m doubly proud to be honoured in the Guinness World Records book,” Lowrie said at the time.
He also told Inside Soap magazine: “At my time of life, to have a job that I love so much and getting to play such an amazing part, is fantastic.”
Dennis Tanner was eventually killed off-screen in 2020 during the soap’s 10,000th episode.
Beyond his Coronation Street fame, Lowrie was a versatile performer with numerous stage and screen credits.
He appeared regularly in Victoria Wood’s television shows, including All Day Breakfast, As Seen on TV, and Wood and Walters.
His West End career included leading roles as Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap (2004), Klever in The Case of the Frightened Lady (2018), and Eric in The Lady Vanishes (2019).
Lowrie also appeared in shows such as Crown Court, The Liver Birds, The Cuckoo Waltz, and played Mr Larkin in the ITV series Home Fires in 2015.
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, Lowrie trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London after his mother saved enough to cover his fees.
Following his graduation, he made his West End debut in Farewell, Farewell Eugene, starring alongside Margaret Rutherford and Peggy Mount.
During his time on Coronation Street, Lowrie also recorded a pop single titled I Might Have Known at Abbey Road Studios, released in May 1963.