British actor Johnny Briggs, best known for his role as businessman and ladies’ man Mike Baldwin in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street, has died aged 85.
A family statement said Briggs died peacefully on Sunday morning (British time) after a long illness.
Briggs was a fixture on Coronation Street, playing Mr Baldwin for 30 years.
Mr Baldwin, a Cockney clothing factory boss, became one of the most memorable characters in the show’s fictional town of Weatherfield.
John Whiston, managing director of the drama, said Briggs brought a charisma to his role that made it “very hard to look at anyone else” when he was on screen.
“He truly was one of the most iconic characters the Street has ever known. We wish Johnny’s family all our condolences,” Whiston said.
Briggs made his debut on the show as Mr Baldwin in 1976, and remained until 2006.
In the early 1980s, his character’s affair with married Deidre Barlow, played by Anne Kirkbride, gripped Britain and was one of the show’s most popular storylines.
About 12 million viewers tuned in when his character died of a heart attack.
Briggs was appointed an MBE, or a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2006.
The post <i>Coronation Street</i> star Johnny Briggs dies appeared first on The New Daily.
Powered by WPeMatico
