Lowrie returned to "Coronation Street" in 1963, and remained for a further five years, before tiring of the role and handing in his notice in 1968. In 2011, forty-three years after his last appearance, it was announced Dennis was to return to the Street, after Philip Lowrie agreed to reprise the role. His return made it the longest any actor in "Coronation Street" has taken a break. Dennis was originally written as the local villain, but once cast, Lowrie's portrayal put a twist to Tony Warren's original scripts. It was commented in "The Coronation Street Story", a 35th anniversary celebratory book, that Lowrie has immense charm that bubbled over into the character. Lowrie recalls a conversation with producer Harry Latham, who commended him on his performance, saying he "gave it some comedy", and that he was glad as they had once been considering writing the character out. John Dingwall of the Daily Record again notes the actor's "knack for comedy". Lowrie said upon his return in 2011: "It feels good to be back. Dennis is a really wonderful character to play because he's a lovable rogue, but there's a depth to him too." On 14 December 2013, it was announced that Lowrie was to leave "Coronation Street". However, the door was left open for a potential return. Lowrie left "Coronation Street" on 21 February 2014, along with his co-star Sue Johnston, who played Gloria Price, but he returned again on 18 April 2014. Dennis remained in the soap opera until 30 July 2014, when his storyline finally reached its conclusion. In January 2020, six years after his departure, it was announced that Dennis would be killed off off-screen. His death is the focus of the soap's 10,000th episode, broadcast in February. Producer Iain MacLeod billed the episode as "uniquely Corrie: funny, poignant and characterful - and a glorious homage to the comedic charabanc trips of times past". In the episode, Rita receives Dennis' ashes and a request from him for them to be scattered in Blackpool. Rita is then accompanied by Ken and other friends as they travel to Blackpool for the day. On the episode MacLeod added, "It's a really great exhibition of Coronation Street's classic qualities as we start a new decade on the cobbles."