Corrie actor claims EastEnders tried to poach him

The actor who plays Coronation Street's Mike Baldwin claims the BBC tried to poach him for EastEnders.

Johnny Briggs claims he was approached by EastEnders bosses at the Soap Awards in May.

Briggs says he was told he would be just what was needed to spice life up in Albert Square.

"The BBC did try to poach me. They said if I ever thought of leaving the Street to give them first refusal. I said, 'Yes, why not', but the talks never went any further," he tells a British tabloid.

"But it would be strange to see me in another soap. The viewers always see me as Mike."

However EastEnders bosses have denied the claims saying: "This is news to us. We have no recollection of having offered him a part".