Coronation Street legend Philip Lowrie has died at the age of 88.
The actor, who appeared in the first ever episode of the ITV soap as Dennis Tanner, passed away on Friday, his publicist shared in a 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,’ his publicist Mario Renzullo told the Daily Mail.
‘His death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling.’
Philip famously starred as Dennis Tenner in the ITV soap opera from the show’s inception in 1960 until 1968, and returned from 2011 until July 2014.
He was just 24 years old when he made his debut as the charismatic rebel on the programme and went on to become a firm staple on the show.
Coronation Street legend Philip Lowrie (pictured on the show in 2012) has died at the age of 88
The actor, who appeared in the first ever episode of the ITV soap as Dennis Tanner (pictured with Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner in 1962), passed away on Friday
His publicist said: ‘His death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling’
Tributes flocked in for the soap opera legend with his on-screen sister sharing some emotional words about Philip.
Anne Cunningham, who portrayed Linda Tanner, told the Daily Mail: ‘From our first meeting on day one of Coronation Street, Philip was truly like a brother to me and we remained very close all his life.
‘No acting required. He was a loving ‘uncle’ at family gatherings and will be sorely missed.’
Philip’s character Dennis was the son of Pat Phoenix’s character Elsie Tanner and entered the scene as a teenage tearaway who had just been released from prison for petty theft.
After moving to Weatherfield with his mother, Dennis was the love interest of Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox, and became her third husband upon his return to the show in 2011.
He briefly departed the programme in 1962 due to complications following a writers’ strike but returned for six more years before his exit in 1968.
However, Philip delighted longtime fans when he returned to the soap opera after a staggering 43-year absence.
After his long gap away from Weatherfield, Philip was awarded Guinness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances as the same character on one show.
Tributes flocked in for the soap opera legend with Anne Cunningham, who portrayed his on-screen sister Linda Tanner (both pictured with Pat and Ernst Walder), leading them
Philip (pictured in 2012) famously starred as Dennis Tenner in the ITV soap opera from the show’s inception in 1960 until 1968, and returned from 2011 until July 2014
The actor, who appeared in the first ever episode of the ITV soap as Dennis Tanner, passed away on Friday, his publicist shared in a statement
‘I’ve always been proud to have been a member of the original cast of Coronation Street,’ he gushed at the time.
‘Now I’m doubly proud to be honoured in the Guinness World Records book.’
His character was ultimately killed off screen years after his exit as part of the soap’s 10,000th episode storyline in 2020.
Away from Coronation Street, Philip was also an esteemed stage actor and made his West End debut in Farewell, Farewell Eugene.
The Lancashire-born star, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, also appeared as Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap.
He additionally took on the role of Klever in The Case of the Frightened Lady in another major stage success.
Philip also appeared in other soap operas including Doctors and Casualty and also played Mr Lakin in ITV’s 2015 series Home Fires.
Philip was also close friends with actress and comedian Su Pollard (both pictured), best known for her role in sitcom Hi-de-Hi!
Away from Coronation Street, Philip (pictured in 1960) was also an esteemed stage actor and made his West End debut in Farewell, Farewell Eugene
He also worked alongside comedian Victoria Wood, appearing on some of her famed shows including All Day Breakfast, As Seen on TV, and Wood and Walters.
In a career change, the esteemed actor also recorded a pop single, titled I Might Have Known at Abbey Road Studios, in May 1963, but it didn’t prove to be a hit.
Philip was also close friends with actress and comedian Su Pollard, who is best known for her role in sitcom Hi-de-Hi!.
His passing marks the loss of one of the few remaining links to Coronation Street’s earliest days and a career that spanned more than sixty years across television and theatre.