Briggs to leave Corrie?

Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin is to be struck down by Alzheimer's disease, claims the Daily Mirror.

15:27 26 March 2005

Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin is to be struck down by Alzheimer's disease, claims the Daily Mirror.

The paper reports that the dramatic storyline will see the departure of veteran star Johnny Briggs, 69.

The actor has played Weatherfield resident Mike for almost 30 years.

A Coronation Street spokesman refused to confirm whether reports of Brigg's departure are true, but a "show insider" told the Mirror the storyline will run this summer and feature some of the soap's most tear-jerking scenes.

The source claims soap fans will witness Mike's gradual decline as the factory boss' forgetfulness gets slowly worse.

The show's bosses have reportedly consulted Alzheimer's support groups in an attempt to make the storyline as convincing and sensitive as possible.

And in a Shakespearean twist, Corrie scriptwriters have reportedly sought inspiration from the bard's tale of King Lear, after realising the soap plotline mirrored the story in the classic play.

In Weatherfield's updated version of the tale, wealthy Mike will reportedly find himself at the centre of family wrangling to gain control over the Baldwin underwear empire.