Philip Lowrie Leaves Most of His £790K Fortune to Charity and Friends Following His Death at 88 After Legendary Career on Coronation Street in the UK

Philip Lowrie, the beloved actor who first appeared in Coronation Street when it premiered in 1960, left the majority of his £790,000 estate to charity after passing away at the age of 88.

Known for his role as Dennis Tanner, Lowrie became an iconic figure on the long-running ITV soap, capturing the hearts of viewers from the very beginning.

Early Days on the Street

Lowrie was just 24 years old when he stepped onto the cobbled streets of Weatherfield as the rebellious Dennis Tanner.

Dennis quickly became a staple of the show, known for his charm and mischievous streak.

The character was the son of Elsie Tanner, played by Pat Phoenix, and his teenage antics often landed him in trouble, including a stint in prison for petty theft before joining the Weatherfield community.

During his early years on the show, Dennis became romantically involved with Rita Sullivan, played by Barbara Knox, and eventually became her third husband decades later when he returned to the soap in 2011.

Career Interruptions and a Triumphant Return

Lowrie briefly left Coronation Street in 1962 due to complications from a writers’ strike but returned shortly after for another six-year run, exiting in 1968.

After a staggering 43-year absence, he made a celebrated return to the soap in 2011, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances as the same character.

Tony Warren, the show’s creator, once described Dennis as “the wrong ‘un,” a nod to his mischievous yet unforgettable presence on the show.

A Life Beyond Weatherfield

Outside of Coronation Street, Lowrie enjoyed a successful stage career.

He made his West End debut in Farewell, Farewell Eugene and appeared in The Mousetrap as Major Metcalf.

He also took on the role of Klever in The Case Of The Frightened Lady, showcasing his versatility as a stage actor.

On TV, Lowrie made guest appearances in other British dramas, including Doctors, Casualty, and ITV’s Home Fires in 2015.

He even recorded a pop single, I Might Have Known, in 1963 at the famed Abbey Road Studios, produced by John Barry—though it didn’t achieve commercial success.

Generosity in His Final Wishes

High Court documents reveal that Lowrie left £797,114 in his estate, which was reduced to £790,022 after deductions.

The bulk of his fortune went to the Actors’ Benevolent Fund, a charity supporting performers.

His longtime friend and executor, Mario Renzullo, received £10,000, a share of Lowrie’s property in Putney, and all his furniture and personal belongings.

Several smaller bequests ranging from £1,000 to £2,000 were left to friends, cousins, and a goddaughter.

Renzullo paid tribute to Lowrie, saying, “Philip Lowrie, the beloved actor renowned for his role as Dennis Tanner on Coronation Street, passed away yesterday at 88.

His death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap.”

Dennis Tanner’s Final Curtain

Although Dennis Tanner left Weatherfield in the 1960s, the character was eventually killed off off-screen as part of Coronation Street’s 10,000th episode storyline in 2020, closing the chapter on one of the show’s earliest icons.

What’s Next?

Fans continue to celebrate Lowrie’s legacy, both on-screen and off.

With the Actors’ Benevolent Fund benefiting from his generosity, his influence extends beyond entertainment, supporting the community of performers he loved dearly.

Tributes from former castmates, fans, and theater colleagues highlight the lasting impact of both the man and the character he brought to life.

Summary

Philip Lowrie’s life was marked by a dedication to acting, from his early days as Dennis Tanner to his celebrated return decades later.

Beyond his screen success, his generous estate demonstrates his commitment to helping others in the arts, ensuring that his legacy endures both in Weatherfield and the broader acting community.