The former Coronation Street star says he was tired of being rejected for roles and of online trolls.
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Video caption: Coronation Street's Johnny Briggs 'was proper showbiz' The actor who played Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street for 30 years, has died aged 85.
By Charlie Haynes
BBC Ouch
By Kirsty Grant
Newsbeat reporter
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Video caption: Coronation Street in numbers, as the famous soap turns 60 As the world's longest running soap turns 60, Coronation Street's longest inhabitants remember life on the cobbles.
Soap opera unveils art to mark 60th birthday
Newcastle-born artist Leigh Lambert has created a series of artworks encapsulating soap opera Coronation Street's 60 years on ITV.
The main piece, titled On The Cobbles, shows the smoking chimneys of Weatherfield and a variety of characters past and present.
Lambert has also created three accompanying sketches illustrating moments from the soap's history, such as two lovers meeting outside the Roy's Rolls cafe called Love Story and the show's famous pigeons entitled They Always Come Home.
Copyright: PA/Leigh LambertITV is airing special shows and publishing an anniversary book in the run-up to the landmark date on 9 December.
Mr Lambert said: "Visiting the set earlier this year, I got to experience the real sense of history these iconic buildings and cobbles have, and it's obvious how the endless list of characters who have lived in them and walked on them are permanently in the great British psyche.
"Being part of Corrie's 60th is really exciting and a true honour."
In 2014 the artist was shortlisted for best up-and-coming artist in the Fine Art Trade Guild Awards.
Copyright: PA/Leigh LambertFancy owning Bet Lynch's jewellery?
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Video caption: The Coronation Street jewellery is up for auction to raise money for a hospice. By Paul Stanworth
Newsbeat reporter
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Video caption: Coronation Street filming resumes after 11 weeks in lockdown Filming, with special measures in place, has resumed on Coronation Street, 11 weeks after it was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
