Johnny Briggs, who played Mike Baldwin in Corrie, died aged 85 after a long illness – he was one of British TV’s most recognisable figures and now fresh tributes have been paid
A Coronation Street icon who starred on the soap for three decades claimed they were ‘penniless’ before their sad death. Actor Johnny Briggs, famed for his portrayal of Mike Baldwin, passed away on this day in 2021 (February 28) – and now fresh tributes have been paid to the actor.
The father-of-six died peacefully surrounded by loved ones, following a prolonged illness. At the time of his death, his family released a statement confirming the sad news, saying: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Johnny Briggs. He passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness, with family by his side. He was 85.”
Last year, the Daily Express said Johnny had said he was virtually penniless before his desk, following a bitter divorce battle with his second wife. His first marriage was to Caroline Sinclair, lasting from 1961 to 1975, followed by his union with Christine Allsop from 1977 to 2006. She eventually filed for divorce after discovering his affair with a 29-year-old makeup assistant.
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The Daily Express also claimed he had cut his eldest daughter out of his will, with an estate worth £555,000, which he left to five of his six children. According to reports, one daughter was not mentioned in the will at all by her father, who earned £200,000 a year as one of the ITV soap’s biggest stars until he walked off the cobbles in 2006.
Throughout his time on the beloved ITV soap, Johnny featured in 2,349 episodes, cementing himself as a central figure for three decades. His character’s scandalous affair with Deirdre Barlow, portrayed by the late Anne Kirkbride, captivated an astonishing 21 million viewers during the 1980s as the womanising factory boss became embroiled in one of television’s most memorable storylines.
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The dramatic confrontations with Bill Roache’s Ken Barlow over the relationship became legendary. This compelling love triangle kept audiences hooked for years, consistently delivering impressive viewing figures as the saga unfolded. After joining the programme in 1976, Johnny eventually stepped away when his beloved character met his end.
Mike’s final scenes showed him suffering a heart attack in the street amid his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, with his last moments spent cradled in Ken’s arms. Following his departure, Johnny received an MBE in 2007, accepting the honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
He made a brief return to Weatherfield in 2012, appearing as a spectral figure in a special Text Santa fundraising sketch. A trained performer from the Italia Conti Academy, Johnny’s career also included appearances in multiple Carry On films.
Beyond Coronation Street, his television credits encompassed numerous classic programmes such as Crossroads, The Saint, The Persuaders, No Hiding Place and Thick As Thieves.
Earlier this month, fans flocked to a Facebook page paying tribute to the actor, with their own messages and memories. One commented, “When Mike developed dementia, he played him so well… I did shed a tear when he collapsed and died in Ken Barlow’s arms. A lot of folk are snobby about soap actors but he truly was remarkable playing Mike throughout that storyline.” Another simply wrote: “Mr Coronation Street.”
A third added a personal memory about seeing him near the TV studios where Coronation Street was filmed, saying: “Fondly remember him sat at the bar of Rafa’s Tapas near Granada… he seemed to be there just as much.” And a fourth said: “I thought he was wonderful… he could make you bawl your eyes out one minute, then the next you’re laughing your socks off. Comic genius. Greatly missed.”
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