Johnny Briggs (actor)

A graduate of the Italia Conti Academy stage school, where he was a contemporary of Lorna Fendall and Anne Hart,[4] Briggs also had roles in a number of other British shows including Crossroads, The Saint, The Persuaders!, Thick as Thieves and No Hiding Place, as well as several Carry On films.[5][6]

In 2005 Briggs announced his intention to leave the role of Mike Baldwin. He cited the hectic filming schedule as the main reason for his departure from Coronation Street. After appearing in 2,349 episodes, his final scenes in the show were recorded on 13 March and broadcast on Friday 7 April 2006, when his character (who had been ill with Alzheimer's disease for several months) collapsed and died in the arms of Ken Barlow in the street after suffering a heart attack.[7]

His most recent theatre appearance was at the Manchester Opera House 2007 pantomime in which he played the father of Cinderella alongside former co-star Tina O'Brien.[8]

Despite suggesting he was to retire from acting after leaving Coronation Street, Briggs made appearances in both Agatha Christie's Marple and Holby City in 2007, as well as the short-lived ITV soap opera Echo Beach.[6][5] In 2012 he also appeared in a Coronation Street sketch to raise money for the charity Text Santa.[9]

Briggs lives in an apartment in Portishead Quays, Portishead, North Somerset, UK, and a house in Florida, USA. He is a keen golfer.[3]

He received a lifetime achievement award at the 2006 British Soap Awards for his thirty years of contribution to the soap. [10]

He was awarded the MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours.

• Johnny Briggs at IMDb
• Johnny Briggs Interview
• Corrie.net entry
• Portishead Marina