Philip Lowrie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Philip Lowrie
Lowrie as Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street
Born	Colin Philip Lowrie (1936-06-20)20 June 1936 Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, England
Died	25 April 2025(2025-04-25) (aged 88)
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1958–2019
Known for	Role of Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street (1960–1968, 2011–2014)

Colin Philip Lowrie (born June 20, 1936 – died April 25, 2025) was an English actor. He was famous for his role as Dennis Tanner in the popular TV show Coronation Street. He played Dennis from 1960 to 1968 and then again from 2011 to 2014.

About Philip Lowrie

Early Life and Acting Start

Philip Lowrie was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, England. His dad worked in a paper mill. Philip had a stammer, which means he sometimes found it hard to speak smoothly. To help with this, he took special speaking lessons. After school, his mom saved money so he could study acting. He went to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London for three years.

His Acting Career

When Philip was 24, he appeared in the very first episode of the TV show Coronation Street. He played Dennis Tanner, the son of a character named Elsie Tanner. Philip stayed on the show as a regular actor until 1968.

During this time, he also recorded a pop song called "I Might Have Known." It was made at the famous Abbey Road Studios and produced by John Barry. Even with such a great team, the song did not become a big hit.

Philip Lowrie worked with the comedian Victoria Wood many times. He appeared in her TV shows like Victoria Wood's All Day Breakfast and Victoria Wood. He was also in her TV movie Pat and Margaret.

He acted in many other TV shows too. These include Andy Capp (1988), Crown Court (1975), and Doctors (2005). From 1998 to 2003, he did voiceover work for the quiz show Fifteen to One.

Returning to Coronation Street

In September 2011, Philip Lowrie received a special award. The Guinness World Records gave him a certificate. It was for having the longest time between TV appearances as the same character. He returned to Coronation Street as Dennis Tanner. His last time playing Dennis had been in June 1968. This meant there was a 43-year gap!

Philip's record was later broken in October 2022. Actor William Russell appeared in Doctor Who. He had a 57-year gap since his last time playing the character Ian Chesterton. Philip Lowrie made his final appearance as Dennis Tanner in July 2014. After that, he played Mr. Larkin in the TV series Home Fires in 2015.

Besides TV, Philip was also a talented theatre actor. He performed in many plays in London's West End. Some of his roles included Major Metcalf in The Mousetrap (2004) and Eric in The Lady Vanishes (2019).

His Final Years

Philip Lowrie passed away on April 25, 2025, at the age of 88.

Philip Lowrie's TV and Film Roles