We knew him by many names: Michael Vernon Baldwin, Mike, Mr Baldwin and The AntiKen to name but a few. We had in turns loved him (when he chinned Ken), and loathed him (when he did the dirty on Alma), but we had also known him for the best part of our lives. Or if you are me, all of your life.
It was because of this character's intimate relationship with us all that Mike's Alzheimer's tragedy was truly as moving and poignant a storyline as I can remember.
Who can forget the scenes in which the man became like a child, crying and in need of help from his Grandson Jamie as hot tears flowed down his face? The pitiful attempts to cover up his forgetfulness with accusations and lies, necessitated by his sheer terror at what he was facing? And in quite the most moving scene in recent television history, when he danced slowly with Deirdre, cheek to cheek as she wept quietly in his shoulder.
His death scene, in the arms of his lifelong nemesis Ken Barlow, was for me largely underwhelming after the brilliantly acted and observed scenes that had gone before, but Mike's Alzheimer's gets my vote as a top tearjerker.
[lee calvert]
Join Corrieblog on Facebook for exclusive competitions and gossip
Go to TV Scoop for all the latest TV entertainment news, reviews and gossip
I must say it was good to see Johnny Briggs on Canadian TV when he was here recently, all energy and cheeky grin, after the weeks of Mike being vague and frightened. The story was very well done.
I still miss Mike
Yeh Mike died yesterday in New Zealand!! No more corrie until Denise Osboure comes!!
A truly emotional, heartbreaking and tearjerker storyline.
It was absolutely heartbreking to see such a strong character become so "weak" and to end in death. Just loved the end when it was Ken/Mike with Mike having the final word and passing away with that cheeky smile of his...
Brilliantly written and even more brilliantly acted.