Mike Baldwin was the original charmer of Weatherfield. He broke women's hearts and didn't show any remorse. The arrogant Cockney first arrived on the Street to open a factory. He has romanced many women in his time and treated plenty of them like dirt aswell. When he complained to Suzie Birchall about her bad keeping she kept him sweet by going out with him on and off for a period of three years. However when Suzie returned from London Mike showed no interest in her anymore.
In 1976 Mike moved into No. 5 Coronation Street with Bet Gilroy even though he was married and had children. He spent weekends with his family in London and the rest of his time with Bet. However when his wife Anne came up from London and Mike told Bet to get out of the way, Bet was upset. Anne soon caught on to the fact that Bet was with Mike, her blonde hairs in Mike's house and he scent of cheap perfume from Bet. When the two women confronted each other Bet was shocked to find that Mike wasn't even married to her and was not the father of her kids. Mike had lied to avoid commitment with Bet! They split up shortly afterwards.
One of Mike's only true loves was Deirdre Barlow. His affair with Ken Barlow's wife led to a huge feud between the two men. Punch ups and verbal exchanges became common but in the end Deirdre stayed with Ken rather than run off with Mike.
Mike showed his autocratic management skills as owner of his factory once too often for Ivy Tilsey's liking. In 1979 a vioent clash between her and Baldwin occured when Mike sacked Hilda Ogden for asking for a new broom. Ivy called for a walk out until Mike reinstated Hilda. However Baldwin was not going to give in to his workers' demands. He brought in non union workers. Violence erupted as Ivy led the girls to smash the factory windows which led to her arrest. The industrial relations conflict was ended when Mike reinstated Hilda.
Mike met Alma Sedgewick for the first time in 1989. After beating Mike at a game of golf Alma had the privilege of choosing a restaurant of her choice. She chose her own flat and gave Mike dessert in her bed. Mike then had an affair with his boss Jackie Ingram and left Alma to marry her for her money. Meanwhile Alma romanced Mike's arch enemy Ken Barlow. Mike's marriage to Jackie only lasted two weeks and she took out a shotgun when she found out his true intentions. He had used her money to buy the lease on Alma's cafe saving her from having to sell up. Mike went after Alma again but she did not give into him until Christmas Day 1991. Mike magaed to get Ken and Deirdre to spend the day together with Tracy while Mike went around to Alma's and wooed her again. When Ken found out about this he ended his relationship with Alma. Alma and Mike married six months later.
Alma's discovery that Mike had an illegitimate child with florist Maggie Redman caused her to have a breakdown. Mike had a feud with Don Brennan which put Alma's life at risk. Don had blamed Mike for his failing garage and exacted his revenge by setting fire to Mike's factory. Don then kidnapped Alma and drove them both off Weatherfield quays in his taxi. Don was sent to a mental institution. In the meantime Mike entered into business with Angie Freeman. A few months later Don returned hell bent on revenge. He hit Mike with a chair leg and could have killed him only for Angie's interference. As Mike ran out onto the street he was shocked to see Don coming straight at him in Alma's sports car. Mike managed to jump to safety as Don crashed straight into the wall at the end of the street. He was killed instantly.
In 1998 Mike strained his realtionship with Alma as he funded Deirdre's legal bill during her term in prison. A jealous Alma believed that Mike was carrying on with Deidre behind her back which was not the case.
In 1999 Mike was lured into bed by sales rep Julia Stone. Little did Mike know that Julia was working for Greg Kelly, the man who had stolen Mike's contact and had threatened to put him out of business. Julia blackmailed Mike who was desperate for Alma not to find out. It wasn't long before she did. She left him very angry. In the meantime young factory worker Linda Sykes saw the opportunity to move in on Mike's fortune and lured him into bed. Mike's affair with Linda was soon unruffled by Hayley Cropper and it wasn't long before a devastated Alma filed for divorce returning to her maiden name Halliwell.
Mike is now engaged to Sykes and has promoted her to saleswoman in Underworld despite his initial reservations. There is a shock on the horizon for Mike because Linda has been involved in a steamy affair with Mike's son Mark. For once it will be Mike on the recieving end of a deceitful relationship.
David's personal opinion of Mike:
Whether you love him or loathe him you have to admit that Coronation Street would not be the same without Mike Baldwin. His treatment of women may be disgraceful but it makes for incredible drama. Mike is a selfish greedy character, a modern day version of Scrooge really. The slanging matches between him and the factory girls is enjoyable to watch. Mike's relationship with Linda is a bit unconvincing but I am looking forward to seeing Mike's reaction to her fling with Mark. I think after all the broken hearts that Mike has caused down the years that it will be interesting to see how Mike copes with his own broken heart. He may regret the day he left reliable Alma.
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