Johnny Briggs (actor)

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For other persons of the same name, see John Briggs.

Johnny Briggs

Occupation	actor
Spouse(s)	Caroline Sinclair (1961-1975) Christine Allsop (1975-2006)

Johnny Briggs, MBE (born September 5, 1935 in Battersea, London) is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Mike Baldwin in the soap opera Coronation Street, in which he appeared from 1976 to 2006.

A graduate of the Italia Conti Academy stage school, where he was a contemporary of Lorna Fendall and Anne Hart, Briggs also had roles in a number of other British shows including Crossroads and No Hiding Place, as well as a number of Carry On films.

In 2005, Briggs announced his intention to quit the role of Mike Baldwin. He cited the hectic filming schedule as the main reason for his departure from Coronation Street. His final scenes in the show were recorded on March 13 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 street after suffering a heart attack.

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

Briggs currently lives in the Pedmore area of Stourbridge and suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder. He is also an avid golf fan and regularly plays at Stourbridge Golf Club.

Briggs was a good friend of radio DJ James H Reeve, and the pair could regularly be seen out in Manchester together.

He won the British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement in May 2006, and was appointed an MBE in the New Year's Honours December 2006.

Despite suggesting he was to retire from acting after leaving the street Briggs has made appearances in both Miss Marple and Holby City in 2007. He is currently starring in Echo Beach.

In September 1999, Johnny's daughter Karen (aged 34) was jailed for five months for stealing her mother's jewellery. Johnny had disowned Karen after she fell into a life of crime and began taking drugs, including heroin and cocaine. In February 2006, Johnny's granddaughter was interviewed for the UK publication 'Closer' stating she had became hooked on heroin aged just 14. Emma Beach is now 17 and battling to kick the habit.