Elsie Tanner

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Coronation Street character
Elsie Tanner
Portrayed by Patricia Phoenix
Created by Tony Warren
Duration 1960-1973,
1976-1984
First appearance 9 December 1960
Last appearance 4 January 1984
Book appearances Coronation Street: The Complete Saga
Coronation Street: The War Years
Profile
Occupation Retail clerk, Machinist

Elsie Tanner (née Grimshaw, known as Howard from 1970 until the dissolution of her marriage in 1978) was a soap opera character played by Patricia Phoenix on Coronation Street from 1960 to 1973 and from 1976 until 1984.

Elsie Tanner was one of the first core characters on Coronation Street and appeared in the very first episode.

Elsie was a feisty woman who was bolshie and had a sassy attitude. She wasn't someone you mess with as she was a tough woman, who spoke her mind and didn't take any nonsense off anyone. Elsie was always up for an argument and fight.

Her final appearance came in January 1984, when Elsie emigrated to Portugal. Actress Pat Phoenix had taken the decision to quit the series in 1983 as she had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer, although she did not go public with her illness until a few months before her death in 1986.

Contents

[edit] Characterisation and popularity

During the 1960s Elsie became a true television sex symbol, and was famously described as "the sexiest thing on television" by Prime Minister James Callaghan. It was perhaps Elsie's earthly sophistication and her fondness for gin, which gave her the veneer of a woman of the world, that led to her popularity. She was also well-known for her fiery-hair, and the temper which matched. Elsie would often wade into battle with her hand on her hip and her finger wagging, which delighted millions of viewers week in, week out. It could be argued that the character of Elsie Tanner created the mould for the popular television archetype of the strong-willed woman with a love-life cratered with disappointment, in essence, the "tart with a heart"

Elsie was looked down upon by many residents of the street, especially during the early 60s. In the very first episode of the serial "the Tanners at Number 11" are quickly looked upon with aversion, mostly by Mission Hall caretaker Ena Sharples and Rovers Return landlady Annie Walker. A divorcée, Elsie had many sexual affairs, which shocked self-proclaimed "moral voice" Ena, and led to many feuds and on-street brawls. In reality, all Elsie wanted was a man to sweep her off her feet, but she ended up involving herself with lots of no-good men, who were usually married. In spite of this, Elsie would always present a fully made-up face in public and rarely dwelt on her mistakes.

[edit] Life on Coronation Street

Elsie had two grown children, Linda and Dennis from her first marriage to Arnold Tanner. At the beginning of the series, Linda had trouble with her Polish husband and his short temper, but they eventually reconciled and gave Elsie grandchildren. Coronation Street's creator, Tony Warren had originally planned the character of Dennis to be rather gritty and a real "bad boy", however actor Philip Lowrie's charm and knack for comedy led to Dennis becoming much more lighthearted. Dennis was shown to be sneaky and up to shenanigans, and embarked on many "get rich quick" schemes to help himself and his mother.

Elsie flirted on and off for many years with Len Fairclough, but that ended when he married Rita Littlewood in 1977. Even after Len's marriage to Rita, she remained his close friend.


Elsie married an ex-lover from the war, American serviceman Steve Tanner in 1967 (played by Canadian actor Paul Maxwell). Due to the massive popularity of Elsie during the 1960s, Steve was also given the surname "Tanner" so that Elsie would not have to change her name when married. Elsie left to live in America with Steve, but soon returned to Coronation Street after they split up. Steve came back to the UK in an attempt to win back Elsie, but shortly after his return he was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs. This led many of the residents of Coronation Street to be in the frame for murdering Steve, however it was later revealed that one of Steve's former Servicemen, Joe Donelli had committed the crime.

Free from her marriage to Steve, Elsie then married Alan Howard in 1970 (Alan was played by Alan Browning, who would become Patricia Phoenix's real-life husband). This marriage was also filled with rough patches; shortly after they married, script-writers quickly bankrupted affluent Alan to ensure that Elsie would have to remain in Weatherfield. Eventually, in 1973, the two went to live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1976, Elsie returned alone with the revelation that she and Alan had separated. They later divorced.

Elsie was also involved with bookie Dave Smith in the early 1970's, owner of local football team Weatherfield County FC.

After her third failed marriage, Elsie quickly surrounded herself with youngsters and acted as a somewhat surrogate mother to Suzie Birchall and Gail Potter (now Platt), who lodged with Elsie at No.11 during the late 1970s. Elsie saw a lot of herself in young Suzie, who was somewhat gregarious and enjoyed the company of men, however it was Elsie's relationship with Gail which would inevitably be the strongest.

During her time, Elsie Tanner took a diverse range of occupations, including shop worker, croupier, machinist and factory supervisor, café worker and model. At the start of the series, Elsie worked in the department store "Miami Modes" and later continued her retail tradition when working at "Sylvia's Separates" dress shop in the 1970s. She also worked alongside Vera Duckworth, Ivy Tilsley and Ida Clough at Baldwin's Casuals clothing factory, where she spent some time working as supervisor.

In late 1983, Bill Gregory arrived on the Street yet again (she had an affair with him more than twenty years before, and she last saw him in 1970) and confessed that he was still in love with Elsie. He offered her the chance to be his wife and run a wine bar he owned in Portugal. After much agonising and thought, she decided to leave Coronation Street to be with Bill. On the night she left, Elsie walked down the street and memories from the past filled her head; squabbles with Annie and Ena, yelling at her son Dennis. While clutching photographs of Linda & Dennis, she smiled knowing that her life in Coronation Street had left her with no regrets.

As she got into the taxi that was to take her to the train station, the driver asked her if she was to be away for long. Giving him a knowing smile, Elsie replied: "Ah! Now there's a question!"

[edit] Sorbet

The first time a UK television audience saw a person eat a sorbet was on the relatively late date of 22nd July 1970. The event occurred during an episode Coronation Street in which Elsie Tanner is married to Alan Howard. The wedding to Alan was Elsie's third marriage and she chose a very quiet ceremony with informal celebratory drinks in the Rovers Return afterwards. However, the couple honeymooned in Paris and during one of the brief scenes of the couple abroad, Elsie is clearly seen to be spooning Pear-Ginger sorbet into her mouth whilst venting spleen about long time foe Ena Sharples.[1]

[edit] Family

[edit] Friends

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ David Hanson & Roger Dixon, Access All Areas: "Coronation Street" (Andre Deutsch Ltd, 1999),p.93.