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The late Coronation Street legend Philip Lowrie has left his fortune to charity, his agent and his friends new documents have revealed.
The actor played Dennis Tanner in the long-running ITV soap from its inception in 1960 until 1968 and again from 2011 until 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.
When he died in April 2025 at the age of 88 High Court papers show he had a fortune of £797,114 in his estate, which was reduced to £790,022 after deductions.
And he left the bulk of it to acting charity the Actors’ Benevolent Fund his will signed in 2017 showed.
But he also left sums to many friends and family.
Mario Renzullo, also executor of the will, was left the most. He was gifted £10,000 and also Mr Lowrie’s share of a property in Putney, plus all Mr Lowrie’s furniture and possessions.
The actor left several bequests of £2,000 or £1,000 to other friends, cousins and a goddaughter.
The late Coronation Streetlegend Philip Lowrie has left his fortune to charity, his agent and his friends new documents have revealed. Pictured in 2012
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
At the time of his death Mario Renzullo said: ‘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 death marks the end of an era for the world’s longest-running soap, where he became a cornerstone of its storytelling.’
Mr Lowrie’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, Mr Lowrie delighted longtime fans when he returned to the soap opera after a staggering 43-year absence.
The actor played Dennis Tanner in the long-running ITV soap from its inception in 1960 until 1968 and again from 2011 until 2014
Mr Lowrie (pictured in 2012) left the bulk of his fortune to acting charity the Actors’ Benevolent Fund his will signed in 2017 showed
Mr Lowrie 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
After his long gap away from Weatherfield, Mr Lowrie was awarded Guinness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances as the same character on one show.
Creator Tony Warren said of the character: ‘In those streets there is always a bad ‘un, a wrong ‘un. And he was the wrong ‘un.’
During this period, he recorded a pop single, ‘I Might Have Known’, which was issued by Ember in September 1963.
Despite being recorded at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios and produced by John Barry, the record was not a hit.
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, Mr Lowrie 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.
Mr Lowrie also appeared in other soap operas including Doctors and Casualty and also played Mr Lakin in ITV’s 2015 series Home Fires.