Johnny Briggs (actor)
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Johnny Briggs, MBE (born September 5, 1935 in Battersea, London) was an English actor. He was 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, 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. 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.
Briggs is currently living 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 appearances in both Miss Marple and Holby City lined up for 2007.
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 grandaughter 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.
