Coronation Street stalwart Johnny Briggs dies at 85

CORONATION STREET star Johnny Briggs, inset, who played the soap opera’s hugely popular lothario Mike Baldwin for 30 years, has died aged 85.

The actor was a fixture on the cobbles, and become one of the ITV soap’s most memorable characters.

A statement from his family said Briggs died peacefully after a long illness.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Johnny Briggs,” the statement said.

“He passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness, with family by his side. He was 85.

“We politely ask for privacy at this time, so that we can quietly grieve as a family and remember the wonderful times we had with him.”

The Coronation Street Twitter account paid tribute, saying the Baldwin character was “one of the most iconic the Street has ever known”.

His storylines included an affair, in the early 1980s, that gripped the nation.

Deirdre, played by Anne Kirkbride, and Mike had an illicit relationship two years into her marriage to Ken Barlow, portrayed by William Roache, but she decided to stay with her husband.

Briggs made his Corrie debut as Baldwin in 1976 and remained on the cobbles until 2006.

His character’s death, of a heart attack and having suffered from a form of Alzheimer’s, was watched by 12m viewers.

It was described as an “historic moment in the Street’s history”.

The underwear factory boss died in the arms of Barlow, his nemesis.

Following the storyline, Briggs, who began performing at the age of 12 and also appeared on stage and in films, backed a fundraising appeal with the Alzheimer’s Society to help people affected by the disease.

Coronation Street star Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, was among those paying tribute. “I am very sorry to hear the sad news,” she said in a statement.

“I have many happy memories of working together with Johnny.”

John Whiston, the managing director of continuing drama and head of ITV in the North, said: “The whole Coronation Street family is deeply saddened by the death of Johnny Briggs. When Mike Baldwin was in a scene it was very hard to look at anyone else.

“And it was that charisma which made him irresistible to the women of Coronation Street, and to viewers.”