Philip Lowrie Dies at 88: All About Coronation Street Icon Who Held Guinness World Record for Longest TV Role Gap

88-year-old Philip Lowrie, known for portraying Dennis Tanner in the long-running ITV series Coronation Street, passed away on Friday (April 25). This was confirmed by his publicist, Mario Renzullo, in a statement to ITV News on Saturday. In the statement, Renzullo referred to Lowrie as a “pillar of storytelling,” expressing that his death signifies the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap opera.

Growing up as Colin Philip Lowrie in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire in 1936, I faced a challenge with a stammer. To conquer this hurdle, I sought elocution lessons. Afterward, I embarked on a three-year journey at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

At age 24, Lowrie initially appeared as Dennis Tanner in the first episode of Coronation Street. He remained a consistent cast member until 1968. During that period, Lowrie’s character was widely admired as a national crush due to his charming rogue portrayal.

In addition to this timeframe, he dabbled in the realm of music and put out a single titled “I Might Have Known” in 1963. Regrettably, it failed to garner significant interest or acclaim.

43 years after leaving Coronation Street, Lowrie came back in 2011, once again playing Dennis Tanner. This return set a Guinness World Record for the longest gap between portrayals of the same character on TV. He last appeared as Dennis Tanner in July 2014.

Back in 2011, I was overjoyed when I received the recognition for being a part of the original cast of Coronation Street. Now, that moment has been amplified as I’ve been humbly acknowledged in the esteemed pages of the Guinness World Records book.

In October 2022, the world record set by Lowrie was surpassed by William Russell, who made an appearance on Doctor Who following a hiatus of 57 years.

Apart from his film roles, this British actor graced comedian Victoria Wood’s television programs, such as As Seen on TV and Wood and Walters. On the stage, he has showcased his talent in London’s West End, taking part in productions like The Mousetrap, The Case of the Frightened Lady as Klever, and The Lady Vanishes as Eric.

In addition to his roles, Lowrie was responsible for the voiceovers in Fifteen to One on Channel 4, and he portrayed Mr. Lakin in the ITV series Home Fires during the year 2015.

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2025-04-26 15:52