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By KATE DENNETT FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 11:29 BST, 26 April 2025 | Updated: 11:42 BST, 26 April 2025

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 ITV News.

‘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

Coronation Street legend Philip Lowrie (pictured on the show in 2012) has died at the age of 88

Dennis was the son of Pat Phoenix’s character Elsie Tanner and became the third husband of Rita Sullivan (Rita Tanner) upon his return to the show in 2011.

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.

‘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.’

Away from Coronation Street, Philip was also an esteemed stage actor and appeared on the West End as Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap.

He also 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.

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Coronation Street legend who appeared in show’s first ever episode dies age 88 as tributes pour in

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