Dennis Tanner

Dennis Tanner
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by	Philip Lowrie
Duration	1960–1968, 2011–2014
First appearance	9 December 1960
Last appearance	30 July 2014
Created by	Tony Warren
Introduced by	Stuart Latham (1960) H.V. Kershaw (1963) Phil Collinson (2011)
Book appearances	Coronation Street: The Complete Saga Coronation Street: The War Years
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Talent agent (1962–1964, 2014) Salesman (1968–1973) Newsagent assistant (2011–2014) Lollipopman (2012–2014)
Dennis Tanner (1968)
Father Arnold Tanner Mother Elsie Tanner Stepfather Bill Gregory (1984–2004) Sisters Linda Cheveski Wife Jenny Sutton (1968–1974) Rita Sullivan (2012–2015) Grandfathers Arthur Grimshaw Wally Tanner Grandmothers Alice Grimshaw Susannah Tanner Aunts Faye Butler Nephews Paul Cheveski Martin Cheveski First cousins Bernard Butler Sandra Butler Gary Bailey Other relatives Arnley Grimshaw Colin Grimshaw Eileen Grimshaw Julie Carp Jason Grimshaw Todd Grimshaw

Dennis Tanner is a fictional character in British soap opera Coronation Street. He is played by Philip Lowrie. The character was created by writer Tony Warren and was introduced in the very first episode on 9 December 1960. Lowrie remained in the role for just over a year before being written out unexpectedly in 1962 when a strike by the actor's union Equity prevented new contracts being signed. Although the strike ended a few months later, Lowrie chose not to return until a year later. After a further five years, Lowrie became frustrated with the material his character was getting and chose not to renew his contract. Dennis departed Coronation Street on 12 June 1968, shortly after marrying girlfriend Jenny Sutton.

Introduced as a teenage tearaway, Dennis quickly became a reformed character and for most of his time on the show, Dennis was primarily used as the show's comic relief with his story lines revolving around his interest in show business, much to the annoyance of his mother Elsie (Patricia Phoenix). Dennis was later described as "immensely popular".

It was announced in January 2011 that the character would be returning to the soap once again after a 43-year absence. His return made it the longest any actor in Coronation Street has taken a break. His return aired on 12 May 2011. It was announced on 14 December 2013 that Lowrie was to leave Coronation Street. He departed, alongside co-star Sue Johnston on 21 February 2014. Dennis returned again briefly for another storyline from April to July 2014.

In his fictional backstory, Dennis was born on 1 April 1942 to Elsie and Arnold Tanner (Frank Crawshaw). When his parents' marriage collapses in 1945, Arnold left Elsie to bring up Dennis and his older sister Linda (Anne Cunningham) alone. Linda is often responsible for looking after Dennis while Elsie entertains her male friends. As a result, Dennis goes off the rails and frequently plays truant from school. He is eventually led into petty crime by new friend Jed Stone (Kenneth Cope), ending with both being sent to prison for six months in 1960.