Tony Warren Tony Warren MBE ( born Anthony McVay Simpson at 3 Wilton Avenue in Pendlebury , Salford on 8th July 1936 , died 1st March 2016 ) was the script - writer who at the age of just 24 created " Coronation Street " . In his youth Tony had been a child actor , appearing on " Children ' s Hour " alongside Violet Carson , Doris Speed and Alan Rothwell under his real name ( for example , all four appeared in a play together on the life of Humphrey Chetham broadcast on 17th August 1952 at 5 . 00pm ) . Realising that his acting ambitions would not be met , he moved into script - writing with an unsolicited episode of " Shadow Squad " which was eventually commissioned and transmitted by Granada Television in two parts on 3rd and 6th November 1958 . Warren was given an exclusive contract with Granada in March 1960 and found himself on the team of writers working on adaptations of the W . E . Johns " Biggles " books , an assignment which he loathed . At the prompting of drama executive producer Harry Elton , Tony proposed a new series more suited to his interest and skills . This series , initially titled " Florizel Street " , was a redraft of a script he ' d submitted to the BBC under the name " Our Street " back in 1956 . Initially commissioned for a thirteen week run , Warren undertook to write the first twelve episodes , with the thirteenth in which the street is demolished not being produced , and continued to regularly write for the programme until 1964 , from 1967 to 1969 and from 1975 to 1976 . In total he wrote 69 episodes of the programme plus a further episode ( 372 ) which was never recorded due to the 1964 ITV Strike . After leaving the show he continued to work as a writer , penning scripts and novels . There are two portraits of Tony in the National Portrait Gallery . On 20th May 2014 , the main studio block at the Media City Studios at Trafford Wharf was named " The Tony Warren Building " in a special ceremony attended by ITV Chief Executive Adam Crozier , the cast and production crew and Mr Warren himself . William Roache made a speech during the dedication . Tony died just under two years later after a short illness . Many paid tribute to his work and legacy . William Roache stated " Tony was the father of " Coronation Street " and he gave us all so much " while Helen Worth said ' " Tony was a genius of our time , the dearest funniest and most inspirational man of his generation . He brought real life into our homes for us all to relate to and enjoy . He will of course live on forever through " Coronation Street " . " ITV said , “ All who worked with Tony throughout his illustrious career had the utmost respect for his achievements and he remained a consultant on the Manchester - based soap until the day he died . He was considered one of the television industry ’ s greatest minds as he devised the idea for the Weatherfield soap at the age of 24 , at the very beginning of his acclaimed writing career . ” Carol Ann Duffy said , “ Manchester has lost its dearest son and so many of us a beloved friend . And the millions who have loved " Coronation Street " for over half a century have lost their Dickens . ” Tony ' s 1969 autobiography was titled " I was Ena Sharples Father " . He has received many awards and an honorary degree for creating the UK ' s longest - running drama series . In the 2010 fiftieth anniversary drama " The Road to Coronation Street " he was played by David Dawson who gained Warren ' s thorough approval for his portrayal . Tony passed away on 2nd March 2016 , aged 79 . His funeral was held two weeks later , with cast members past and present attending . Episodes written by Tony Warren . 1960s . 1960 ( 7 episodes ) 1961 ( 17 episodes ) 1962 ( 15 episodes ) 1963 ( 9 episodes ) 1964 ( 6 episodes ) Tony also scripted Episode 372 which was due to be transmitted on Monday 6th July but which was never recorded due to the 1964 ITV Strike . 1967 ( 7 episodes ) 1968 ( 3 episodes ) 1969 ( 1 episode ) 1970s . 1975 ( 3 episodes ) 1976 ( 1 episode )