Johnny BRIGGS dead: Coronation Street legend who played Mike Baldwin dies at 85.
In a statement his family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Johnny Briggs".
A father-of-six, Johnny was surrounded by family when he died after a long illness on Sunday.
The actor starred in 2,349 episodes of the popular ITV soap and was a major character for 30 years.
Johnny helped pull in 21 million viewers in the 1980s when womanising factory owner Mike had an affair with Deirdre Barlow, played by the late Anne Kirkbride.
He famously clashed with Bill Roache's character Ken Barlow over the affair.
The love triangle between the three gripped viewers and was a long-running ratings winner as it carried on for years.
Having joined the soap in 1976, Johnny finally retired with the death of his popular character in 2006.
The onscreen death saw Mike collapse in the street after a heart attack following a battle with Alzheimer's disease, dying in the arms of Ken.
The year after his retirement, Ken was made an MBE, collecting his medal at Buckingham Palace from the Queen.
Born in London's Battersea in 1935, as a boy Johnny was evacuated to the countryside during World War II. Author Alan Ravenscroft later recalled of that time: "Johnny used to come to our school for woodwork lessons. He had a cockney accent but soon got into Winsford ways and found out what a jam butty was."
After returning to London Johnny embarked on a career in show business back aged 12, attending famed stage school Italia Conti Academy.
He served in Germany for two years with the Royal Tank Regiment before launching his acting career with roles in several Carry On movies and ITV police drama No Hiding Place.
But it was only in 1976 that he would land the role which would define his career, and make him a household name.
* Credit mirror.co.uk for the story
Our thoughts are with Johnny's family and friends. We invite you to leave your tributes and memories of Johnny below:
Keep me informed of updates
