Fresh tributes have been paid to Coronation Street legend Johnny Briggs, who portrayed the iconic character Mike Baldwin, as it emerges he claimed to be 'penniless' before his death and excluded his eldest daughter from his will. The actor passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on February 28, 2021, following a prolonged illness, surrounded by his loved ones.
Financial Struggles and Family Disputes
According to reports from the Daily Express, Johnny Briggs stated he was virtually penniless prior to his death, a situation attributed to a bitter divorce battle with his second wife, Christine Allsop. His first marriage to Caroline Sinclair lasted from 1961 to 1975, and his union with Allsop spanned from 1977 to 2006, ending when she discovered his affair with a 29-year-old makeup assistant and filed for divorce.
Further controversy surrounds his estate, valued at £555,000, which was left to five of his six children. Reports indicate that his eldest daughter was completely omitted from the will, despite Briggs earning an impressive £200,000 annually as one of ITV's top soap stars until his departure from Coronation Street in 2006.
A Storied Career on the Cobbles
Johnny Briggs joined Coronation Street in 1976 and became a central figure over three decades, appearing in 2,349 episodes. His character, Mike Baldwin, was a womanising factory boss whose scandalous affair with Deirdre Barlow, played by the late Anne Kirkbride, captivated a peak audience of 21 million viewers in the 1980s.
The dramatic love triangle with Ken Barlow, portrayed by Bill Roache, became legendary, keeping audiences hooked for years with its compelling narrative twists. Briggs' final scenes in 2006 depicted Mike suffering a heart attack in the street while battling Alzheimer's disease, with his last moments cradled in Ken's arms, a poignant end to a beloved character.
Legacy and Honors
After leaving the soap, Johnny Briggs received an MBE in 2007, presented by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of his contributions to television. He made a brief return to Weatherfield in 2012 for a special Text Santa fundraising sketch, appearing as a spectral figure.
Trained at the Italia Conti Academy, Briggs' career extended beyond Coronation Street, with roles in multiple Carry On films and classic TV programmes such as Crossroads, The Saint, The Persuaders, No Hiding Place, and Thick As Thieves.
Fan Tributes and Memories
Earlier this month, fans flocked to a Facebook page dedicated to Johnny Briggs, sharing heartfelt messages and personal memories. One admirer commented on his portrayal of dementia, saying, 'When Mike developed dementia, he played him so well... I did shed a tear when he collapsed and died in Ken Barlow's arms. A lot of folk are snobby about soap actors but he truly was remarkable.'
Another fan simply referred to him as 'Mr Coronation Street,' while others recalled personal encounters, such as seeing him at a tapas bar near the Granada studios. A fourth tribute highlighted his versatility: 'I thought he was wonderful... he could make you bawl your eyes out one minute, then the next you're laughing your socks off. Comic genius. Greatly missed.'
Johnny Briggs' legacy as a cornerstone of British television endures, with his financial and personal struggles adding a poignant layer to the tributes paid by devoted fans and the entertainment community.
