Elsie Tanner

Elsie Gregory (also Grimshaw, Howard and Tanner) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Pat Phoenix from the series' inception in 1960 to 1973, and again from 1976 until 1984. Elsie Tanner was one of the original core characters on Coronation Street and appeared in the first episode. She is considered to be an icon in soap history and regarded as one of the greatest ever characters to appear in Coronation Street.

Elsie Tanner
Coronation Street character
Portrayed by	Pat Phoenix
Duration	1960–1973, 1976–1984
First appearance	Episode 1 9 December 1960
Last appearance	Episode 2375 4 January 1984
Created by	Tony Warren
Introduced by	Stuart Latham (1960) Bill Podmore (1976)
Book appearances	Coronation Street: The Complete Saga Coronation Street: The War Years
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Other names	Elsie Grimshaw Elsie Howard Elsie Gregory
Occupation	Shop assistant Retail clerk Factory supervisor Machinist Café manageress Barmaid Bar owner
Family Father Arthur Grimshaw Mother Alice Grimshaw Brothers Jack Grimshaw Sisters Phyllis Bailey Fay Butler Ethel Grimshaw Connie Grimshaw Iris Grimshaw Freda Grimshaw Nancy Grimshaw Polly Grimshaw Husband Arnold Tanner (1939–1962) Steve Tanner (1967–1968) Alan Howard (1970–1978) Bill Gregory (1984–2004) Sons Dennis Tanner Daughters Linda Cheveski Stepsons Mark Howard (1970–1978) Grandsons Paul Cheveski Martin Cheveski Nephews Gary Bailey Bernard Butler Nieces Sandra Butler First cousins Arnley Grimshaw Other relatives Colin Grimshaw Eileen Grimshaw Julie Carp Jason Grimshaw Todd Grimshaw Billy Platt

Her final appearance came in January 1984, when Elsie emigrated to Portugal. Phoenix decided to quit the series in 1983 to pursue other projects. Phoenix appeared as Elsie in 1,607 episodes over a duration of 23 years.