Leonard Swindley

Leonard Swindley was a fictional character on the British television ITV soap opera Coronation Street. He was played by actor Arthur Lowe between 1960 and 1965. The character of Mr Swindley also appeared in two spin-off series following his departure from the Street - Pardon the Expression and Turn Out the Lights, making him a unique character in UK soap opera.

Creation

Casting

At the time filming commenced of the pilot episode of Coronation Street, the character of Leonard Swindley had not even been cast. Because he wasn't supposed to appear until episode three, auditions were still taking place until Arthur Lowe walked in and read for the producers. Lowe, who went on to become most recognised as Captain Mainwaring in sitcom Dad's Army, was already an established actor by the time of his Coronation Street casting, having been in several feature films, but it was his turn as pompous Mr. Swindley that made him a household name in the early 60s.

In December 1961, only a year after the show's launch, a strike of the actor's union Equity meant that Lowe, who was not under contract with the show at that point, was forced to leave the series along with several other stars of the Street. The strike lasted until April 1962, and Lowe agreed to reprise his role once again, returning in June along with Eileen Derbyshire.