It seems bizarre that he's now back on screen after humiliating Rita by running off with Gloria. Given the fact that Rita is going to need his support now more than ever with Tina's murder surely that means he's back to stay? Corrie have reversed cast decisions in the past quite quickly- Vicky Entwistle was actually given a reprieve after originally being axed back in 2005. They were also very quick to write out that awful sister of Violet's following a critical mauling from viewers.

I hope so...Dennis is a Tanner, he belongs too be on the street!!

I really like the character. He is a normal, down-to-earth soul who likes the occasional bit of excitement. His character has always felt very real and grounded in comparison to the dubious morals of (many) others on the cobbles nowadays. Most importantly he is a vital part of the show's history being the son of the legendary Elsie.

Vicky's is one of my favourite stories! lol
She was sacked by the producer because 'the character has gone as far as it can go'
Next day she signed up to do a panto. (You couldn't do pantos when you worked on Corrie back then)

Very shortly after she was sacked, Corrie got a new producer. This producer liked Janice and obviously thought the character had NOT gone as far as it could (that really blew that excuse for sacking someone out the water! lol) so she got her job back.
As you're on screen for a while after you're sacked, they had to come up with an excuse for Janice to disappear for 3 months so she could so the panto she signed up for when she was sacked! lol

Always loved that story. I wonder how any soap ever dares to use the 'the character has gone as far as it can go' excuse for sacking someone after what happened with Vicky!

So the same story would only apply to Philip if the producer changed and he hasn't so in this case it would be up to the same producer changing his mind.

Surely if someone like Entwistle has been saved, Philip Lowrie should get some form of reprieve.

Soup kitchens finest hour was sailing by Rita in the sports car and now he's back with his tail between his legs. Wonderful characterisation there by tge writers

I remember reading something saying that he hasn't quite left when he ran off with Gloria.

That storyline with Gloria was simply the pits, easily one of Blackburn's worst.

No! I hate Dennis, what a bore he is

We can only hope. Or else all this teasing about a reunion with Rita will be completely pointless if he ends up leaving anyway.

I was also wondering that. After last nights ep, with Rita asking Dennis to hold her, maybe she will change her mind and give the relationship another go.

I hope he has been reprieved. He's a great link to the past, and more than forty years' worth of back story is still to be explored.

i like Dennis.

Love Dennis Tanner would really be glad if he stayed around full time. One of my favourite bits of the Corrie Tour was seeing graffiti which was meant to be done by Dennis etched into the window ledge of Eileen's house reading "Dennis Tanner 1951"

I like him and wish he was staying for good, but I doubt it

They should bring in a family for him- perhaps a long-lost daughter (played by Jodie Prenger, natch) to re-establish the Tanner dynasty. If he's staying, he needs more to do than just being the Lush's lapdog.

I wish Sponger would hurry up and clear off pronto.

I loved it when he first set foot back on the cobbles and searched for the etching on the window ledge. Didn't we see the etching again in a recent episode when the camera panned slowly across it in one shot, or did I dream that?

He should stay. A lot could be written for an extended Tanner family.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3...oGafdHbo6WULwG
Sunday, Dec 15 2013, 02:15 GMT

Philip Lowrie is to leave Coronation Street.

A spokesperson for the series has confirmed that Lowrie – who plays Dennis Tanner – will be departing Weatherfield in summer 2014 following a big storyline with his on-screen wife Rita (Barbara Knox).

Departures ARE generally announced many months before they leave the screen, so it looks like he iS leaving.

There is so much potential there. Surely Anne Cunningham would return for a week or two. What about Jenny Tanner? Maybe there are children? There is a really interesting opportunity to weave the past into the future in a clever and interesting way

Lets not forget when he was lurking around the Kabin, Gail was walking down the street and locked eyes with him. Gail had lodged with Elsie back in the 1970s, it was a real shame these two didn't share any scenes together or reminisce about his mother. Elsie was also Nick's godmother.

Another moment was when Dennis was in the Kabin and Bill Webster interacted with him and Rita. Bill had briefly been in a relationship with Linda back in 1984 when he bought Elsie's house from her. Another wasted opportunity for Dennis to disclose what happened to his sister.

It's really lazy writing. Corrie has a rich history that just isn't tapped into enough.

Is anyone old enough on here to recall his first original stint in the 1960s?

LOL you didn't dream that - I think it was in one of last week's Monday eps and I wondered why on earth they focused on it.

Bloody awful shame Dennis is leaving. Really shows up how inept and uncreative the current production team is. We need a good clear out of the writing and storylining team - they're really ruining Corrie. But then again, one of the current storyliners was interviewed on that documentary about the new set and he seemed to have a really good knowledge of classic characters and stories - so why has Dennis Tanner missed such a missed opportunity? You'd think they would relish a chance to write stories for a character like him.