 The following is a list of characters introduced by Warren upon the series' inception, by order of first appearance.These include flame-haired siren and series first sex symbol Elsie Tanner (played by Patricia Phoenix), staunch up-tight battleaxe Ena Sharples, (played by Violet Carson), typically middle class town Mayor and publican landlady Annie Walker (played by Doris Speed) and grumpy war veteran Albert Tatlock (played by Jack Howarth) and university graduate Ken Barlow (played by William Roache) - all of whom would go on to star in the series for twenty years or more.Another long term character was Minnie Caldwell (played by Margot Bryant), who would remain with the series for 16 years and also in the original line-up was loveable rogue Dennis Tanner (played by Philip Lowrie), who is significant for his 43-year gap between appearances.