Lenny Phillips was a theatrical agent who employed Dennis Tanner from 1961 to 1963. Always on the lookout for new talent, Lenny spotted Dennis at the Orinoco Club in 1961 and gave him a job as a talent scout. Lenny was something of an entrepreneur and his enterprises included the Viaduct Sporting Club in Weatherfield. He made London his home after opening an office there in 1962, with Dennis or Lenny's business partner Laurie Frazer handling responsibilities at the Manchester office.