Newly released legal documents have unveiled that the late Coronation Street icon Philip Lowrie bequeathed the majority of his substantial fortune to charity, alongside generous gifts to close friends and family members. The esteemed actor, renowned for his portrayal of Dennis Tanner in the long-running ITV soap, passed away in April 2025 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy both on and off the screen.
Estate Details and Charitable Bequests
High Court papers disclose that Philip Lowrie's estate was valued at £797,114, which was subsequently reduced to £790,022 after necessary deductions. According to his will, which was signed in 2017, the bulk of this fortune was left to the Actors' Benevolent Fund, a prominent charity supporting performers in need. This significant donation underscores Lowrie's lifelong commitment to the acting community and his desire to give back to the profession that defined his career.
Personal Legacies to Friends and Family
In addition to his charitable contributions, Lowrie allocated specific sums to numerous friends and relatives. The executor of the will, Mario Renzullo, received the most substantial personal bequest, including £10,000, Lowrie's share of a property in Putney, and all of his furniture and personal possessions. Several other friends, cousins, and a goddaughter were gifted amounts of £2,000 or £1,000 each, reflecting the actor's deep personal connections and generous spirit.
A Storied Career on Coronation Street
Philip Lowrie first joined Coronation Street at its inception in 1960, making his debut as the charismatic rebel Dennis Tanner at just 24 years old. He quickly became a firm staple on the show, portraying the son of Elsie Tanner, played by Pat Phoenix, and entering Weatherfield as a teenage tearaway fresh from prison. His character's romantic involvement with Rita Sullivan, portrayed by Barbara Knox, culminated in marriage upon his return to the series in 2011.
After an initial departure in 1968, Lowrie delighted fans by returning to the soap opera in 2011 after a staggering 43-year absence, earning a Guinness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances as the same character on one show. Creator Tony Warren once described Dennis Tanner as "the wrong 'un" of the street, a testament to the character's enduring impact. Lowrie's final storyline saw Dennis killed off-screen in 2020 as part of the soap's 10,000th episode.
Life Beyond the Cobbles
Away from Coronation Street, Philip Lowrie enjoyed a distinguished career as a stage actor, making 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 in notable productions such as The Mousetrap as Major Metcalf and The Case of the Frightened Lady as Klever.
His versatility extended to other television roles, including appearances in soap operas like Doctors and Casualty, as well as a part in ITV's 2015 series Home Fires. Lowrie even ventured into music, recording a pop single titled I Might Have Known at Abbey Road Studios in 1963, though it did not achieve commercial success.
Reflecting on his passing, Mario Renzullo stated, "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." This sentiment echoes the profound impact Lowrie had on British entertainment and the heartfelt generosity revealed in his final wishes.
