Coronation Street's Johnny Briggs fondly remembered as war evacuee in Winsford

The actor, who played factory villain Mike Baldwin in the ITV soap for three decades, was sent to the Cheshire countryside during the Second World War to escape the blitz.

Born in London's Battersea in 1935, his chirpy character made a big impact on classmates at Wharton Primary School.

Winsford military history author Alan Ravenscroft, of Station Road, said: "Johnny used to come to our school for woodwork lessons. He had a cockney accent but soon got into Winsford ways and found out what a jam butty was.

"He stayed with Mr and Mrs Buckley in Rilshaw Lane."

Johnny Briggs was appointed an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours in 2006

Johnny Briggs was appointed an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours in 2006

Keith Weedall, from Winsford, told the Guardian in 1997 about the moment the budding actor arrived in the classroom.

Keith said: "The teacher introduced him to the class and said: 'This is Johnny my little detective.

"He's come to stay with us from London for a while so everyone give him a nice welcome.

"I never found out why she called him 'my little detective' and always wondered why."

Johnny Briggs was one of the longest-serving actors in Coronation Street

Johnny Briggs was one of the longest-serving actors in Coronation Street

Keith recalls how being impressed by his acting talents back in 1942.

"I remember being in the school play with him at Christmas. It was Oliver Twist and I must admit he was a better actor than me.

"He was a very chirpy character and seemed a lot more worldly than most of us.

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"He was certainly full of himself and had a lot to say as well. I used to sit either at the same desk as him or on the one adjacent to him.

"He seemed to settle in well and got on with the rest of us. It was as bit strange having kids from a big city like London in our school"

The love triangle between the characters played by William Roache, Anne Kirkbride and Johnny Briggs captivated the nation Picture: PA

The love triangle between the characters played by William Roache, Anne Kirkbride and Johnny Briggs captivated the nation Picture: PA

At the age of 12, Johnny won a scholarship to the Italia Conti Stage Academy.

Johnny joined Corrie in 1976 and remained on the Cobbles until 2006, playing the lingerie business tycoon.

His storylines included an affair that gripped the nation.

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

He won the British Soap Award for Lifetime Achievement in May 2006 and was made an MBE in the Queen's New Year Honours in December 2006.

A statement from his family on Sunday said the 85-year-old died after a long illness 'with his family by his side'.