Johnny Briggs, Crossroads and Coronation Street Actor, Has Died

[Angela Channing]

Johnny Briggs, who played the character Cliff Layton in Crossroads and Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street has died.

In a statement, his family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Johnny Briggs.

“He passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness, with family by his side. He was 85.

 

[Sarah]

The actor who played lovable rogue Mike Baldwin has died aged 85.

Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs dies aged 85

The actor, who played Mike Baldwin in the soap, died after a long illness, his family said.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[cobbles]

Sad news indeed. Thoughts with his family, I suppose it's a small comfort right now for them but at least they'll know he provided great joy to tens of millions of people over the course of four decades in the show.

 

[Englishboy]

One of the greats of the cobbles in the 1970s and 1980s.

He can currently be seen in episodes from 1997 on itv3.

 

[Ukdallasfan]

RIP Mike Baldwin

 

[Sarah]

It’s quite spooky as for some reason he came into my head the other day...

 

[Mel O'Drama]

As well as Corrie and Crossroads, I associate him with a number of British film series.

He had small roles in several Ealing films, his earliest being Hue & Cry back in 1947 (a wonderful film, which I find fascinating because it documents everyday life post WWII, with an eerie bombed-out landscape and kids playing in craters). He also had small roles in a few Carry Ons, and other similar films of the Seventies (like the film versions of Man About The House and Bless This House). I remember him in at least one of the Doctor films as well.

By the time he got to Corrie, he had decades' worth of acting experience, much of which was on the big screen. It's a really impressive body of work.

 

[Barbara Fan]

RIP Johnny Briggs, he was one of the Corrie greats (sadly missing now) and involved in so many great plots - never bettered than the love triangle of Ken, Deirdrie and Mike - that had everyone on the edge of their seats with Will she leave Ken for Mike or not?

I loved the factory scenes and his spats with Ivy, Vera et al - He played the cheeky cockney spiv well and i enjoyed his relationship with Alma and thought he was great when she died.

I cant believe its been so many years since he keeled over in the street and died in kens arms- an era when Corrie was great and not the silly show it became

 

[Biggie]

Reading the comments above, I feel that I have missed meeting someone of great standing.

I enjoyed my time in Albert Square, but seeking new opportunities for adventure I left in the summer of 2007 and headed north. I believe (Googled it!) Mike left Weatherfield in 2006, meaning that we'd never cross paths.

Because not in this life, I'll remedy that in the next.

 

[Victoriafan3]

I briefly met Johnny when he came to NZ for a telethon here in 1985. I got his autograph. His final episode was actually the last episode of Corrie as a series that I watched. It was a good swan song. I had watched every episode for thirty years and I could tell the show was going to go downhill after he left. He bowed out at the right time so he could enjoy some quality time for his retirement. I bowed out at the right time too so I only have (well 98%) very good memories of the Street. He definitely had some good stories on the show (with Deirdre, with Alma, with Bet and of course Ernest Bishop!) and I still remember his last Radio Times cover with the cast gathered round Mike’s deathbed :-(

 

[Angela Channing]

Here's Johnny Briggs with many of his Crossroads cast mates on a night out to watch Larry Grayson at the London Palladium. (Johnny is directly behind Mr Grayson). He appeared in over 400 episodes of Crossroads.

 

[Angela Channing]

Here is part of the script for Johnny Brigg's first appearance in Crossroads as Cliff Leyton. His first line was "Do you use linen or paper serviettes?"

 

[Englishboy]

I agree with everything that has been said except for one thing - I actually hated Baldwin's dementia exit storyline. I found it to be badly acted and poorly executed.

Also, it was totally ridiculous that Baldwin should die in the arms of his arch enemy, Ken who exclaims (somewhat improbably) "Oh Mike, No" as his nemesis meets his maker.

Also, I'm probably in a minority of viewers, but I personally preferred the character's long running feud with Don Brennan over his dispute with Ken Barlow.

Finally, it was a nice touch of ITV to dedicate last night's Corrie episodes to Johnny's memory.

 

[Sarah]

Oh I dunno @Englishboy - sometimes they need their nemesis around to spar with. I remember when JR faked a heart problem in Cliff’s office - Cliff did look concerned, albeit briefly.

 

[Walford Boy]

Sad news RIP Johnny.