Johnny Briggs, who portrayed the charming yet manipulative Mike Baldwin, joined the series in 1974 and became a memorable figure, particularly for his tumultuous romance with Deirdre Barlow. He passed away on February 28, 2021, at the age of 85 after battling cancer, marking the end of an era. Similarly, William Tarmey, who played the lovable Jack Duckworth, brought humor and warmth to the show from 1976 until his death in 2012 at 71.