Street star’s ‘treasured’ kisses with icon Audrey
LATE CORRIE ACTOR JOHNNY WAS ‘CAPTIVATED’ BY HOLLYWOOD ICON HEPBURN
THE late Coronation Street legend Johnny Briggs was ‘captivated’ by Hollywood screen goddess Audrey Hepburn when the pair starred alongside each other on the West End stage.
Johnny, who played the devilish Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street, won a scholarship for London’s prestigious Italia Conti stage school at the age of 12.
A few years later the Battersea-born working-class son of a carpenter was on the West End in Sauce Tartare with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday icon Audrey.
In My Life as Mike Baldwin: The Autobiography, published by Blake, Johnny spoke of his ‘puppy dog’ crush and how he got to kiss the Oscar-winning actress, who died aged 63 in 1993.
He recalled: “I was only 15. Audrey was already a young woman.
“She was quite out of my league. But her dressing room was next to mine and she was the most beautiful thing in the world.
“We worked together months, I was captivated.”
Johnny, who passed away last Sunday aged 85, continued: “To add to her attraction, she would be sent chocolate from Holland, which she shared.
“That was a real bonus for a lad like myself, with sweets still rationed.
“It never got beyond my puppy-doglike adoration.
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“But I did get to kiss her – three times; Christmas, Valentine’s Day and my birthday. They were very treasured kisses.”
A while after the actor, who played Corrie factory owner Mike from 1976 to 2006, landed his first major film in 1959’s Cosh Boy.
And he was fascinated by Joan Collins, who played the lead’s girlfriend.
He said: “She had just married Maxwell Reed, a big hunk of a fellow. “She had beautiful eyes, but at the time I thought she was a trifle chubby and quite plain.
“She had just been to Spain on honeymoon, and was covered in mosquito bites!”
Tributes came pouring in following the news of Johnny’s death.
William Roache, who acted alongside him in the longrunning Ken Barlow versus Mike Baldwin feud, said: “So sorry to hear about Johnny. “Mike Baldwin and Ken Barlow were arch enemies for many years, but as an actor, Johnny was impeccable, always good, and I was so fortunate to have worked with him for so many years.
“He was a strong character who will be greatly missed.
“I send my love to Johnny on his journey and to all those who are bound to miss him, he was an iconic Coronation Street character.
“Love you Johnny! X”
MOURNERS CAN PAY THEIR RESPECTS AS CORTEGE PASSES THROUGH STREETS
THOSE closest to a woman who died in a house explosion are asking the community to ‘give her the send off she deserves’ as they share the plans for the funeral.
Hazel Wilcock died in a tragic blast in Summerseat, Bury, on February 18.
The ‘compassionate’ and ‘muchloved’ counsellor was talking to her partner on a FaceTime call when her house collapsed at around 9.20pm that evening.
The couple had not long started the video call when Hazel’s screen suddenly turned black.
In the hours that followed, Hazel’s friends, family and boyfriend Tony Dewes worst fears were confirmed.
Now, they ask that those who wish to say goodbye to Hazel do so by lining the streets along the funeral procession route.
Sharing the funeral plans for anyone who may want to pay their respects, close friends of the family say the funeral will take place on Thursday.
Due to current coronavirus restrictions, ‘the majority of people who would have wanted to attend will not be able to,’ said friend Jemma Major.
“Despite this we hope that Hazel receives the send off she deserves and are inviting people to line the streets to say goodbye and pay their respects,” she added.
The cortege will leave Summerseat Park on Waterside Road at 1.30pm and proceed up Summerseat Lane, Mayfield Avenue, Longsight Road and Vernon
Road, towards Tottington.
From there, the route will be Booth Street, past Walshaw Cross, before arriving at the crematorium in Radcliffe, say Hazel’s friends.
Jemma continued: “We understand that people will want to attend the crematorium, but please can we respectfully request that she is honoured along the route mentioned above as we have been told that only 30 people can be admitted to the crematorium grounds.
“Later in the year, when social distancing guidelines allow, the intention is to hold an event where ‘all’ of Hazel’s family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances can come together to celebrate her life.”
The service will also be streamed live online so people can attend virtually. Hazel was born in Radcliffe and dedicated her life to caring for others.
Prior to her work at St Ann’s Hospice, she was a social worker with deaf people in Blackburn. Eventually, she became a director of Sign Health, where she created national access to counselling services for deaf people.
The revolutionary work made it easier for deaf people to access mental health services.
There will also be an additional link broadcasting the funeral set up for any people requiring a closer view of the British Sign Language interpreter. Investigations into the cause of the explosion at the East View home are still ongoing.
Please can we respectfully request that she is honoured along the route
Friend Jemma Major