Coronation Street star Johnny Briggs, famous for his role as ladies’ man Mike Baldwin, has died aged 85.

The actor was a fixture on the cobbles, making his name as the Cockney businessman, for 30 years and becoming one of the ITV soap’s most memorable characters.

A statement from his family said Briggs died peacefully after a long illness.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, Johnny Briggs,” the statement said.

Mr Briggs lived in Stourbridge and was well known in the Midlands.

The family statement added: "He passed away peacefully this morning after a long illness, with family by his side. He was 85.

"We politely ask for privacy at this time, so that we can quietly grieve as a family and remember the wonderful times we had with him."

The Coronation Street Twitter account paid tribute, saying the Baldwin character was “one of the most iconic the Street has ever known”.

His storylines included an affair, in the early 1980s, that gripped the nation.

Deidre (Anne Kirkbride) and Mike had an illicit relationship two years into her marriage to Ken Barlow (William Roache), but she decided to stay with her husband.

Briggs made his Corrie debut as Baldwin in 1976 and remained on the cobbles until 2006.

His character’s death, of a heart attack and having suffered from a form of Alzheimer’s, was watched by 12 million viewers.

It was described as an “historic moment in the Street’s history”.

The underwear factory boss died in the arms of Barlow, his nemesis.

Following the storyline, Briggs, who began performing at the age of 12, backed a fundraising appeal with the Alzheimer’s Society to help people affected by the disease.