“Actor Johnny Briggs, who played Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street for 30 years, has died aged 85.

“His family said he died peacefully after “a long illness, with family by his side” and asked for privacy to “remember the wonderful times we had”.

“Briggs was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2007, the year after his character left the ITV soap.

“Baldwin’s affair with Deidre Barlow and his feud with her husband, Ken, were a long-running ratings hit for the show.

“Coronation Street colleagues have paid tribute to Briggs calling him a “wonderful actor” and describing Mike Baldwin as “one of the most iconic characters the Street has ever known”.”

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