In a dramatic turn of events, Coronation Street aired the funeral of legendary character Jim McDonald on Thursday night's episode, setting the stage for a major historical retcon that reshapes the beloved figure's legacy. The ITV soap, renowned as the world's longest-running television series, handled the farewell with minimal on-screen ceremony, focusing instead on the explosive secrets that emerged posthumously.
Jim McDonald's Off-Screen Funeral and Sparse Attendance
Jim McDonald, portrayed by actor Charlie Lawson since his debut in 1989, was officially written out of the programme after various stints until 2018. Last week, his son Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, received a phone call confirming his father's passing. During the latest episode, Steve dressed in a black suit, prepared to deliver a eulogy, but viewers did not witness the funeral itself, as all action occurred off-screen.
Back at the Rovers Return pub, Steve's granddaughter Amy Barlow, portrayed by Elle Mulvaney, revealed that only seventeen people attended the service, highlighting the character's isolated end. Rovers owner Jenny Connor was handed the order of service, and a look of horror crossed her face as she perused it, particularly when an old army mate of Jim's from Ireland, named Declan, entered the pub.
Bombshell Revelation: Jim McDonald's Secret Affair and Love Child
The plot thickened as Declan confronted newcomer Maggie Driscoll in the pub yard over what he termed "the big secret." Maggie pretended ignorance, but Declan insisted, stating, "He was a married man. You knew that. With two young boys. Not that it was all your fault. Big dumb squaddie like Jim." He added, "You were awful lucky nobody caught on. I'm assuming they didn't. I'll not cause you any bother. The past is the past... and isn't there plenty of it?"
This confrontation seemingly confirmed that Jim McDonald had an affair with Maggie in her native Ireland, fathering her son Ben Driscoll. This revelation retcons Jim's history, as viewers previously believed he had never been unfaithful to his wife, Liz McDonald, played by Beverley Callard. A flashback episode late last year hinted at Maggie's affair, but this marks the first explicit mention linking it to Jim, fundamentally altering his character's narrative.
Jim McDonald's Tumultuous History and Actor's Criticism
Throughout his tenure on Coronation Street, Jim McDonald was famously married to Liz McDonald, with their marriage surviving numerous infidelities on her part but collapsing when she admitted to an affair with his army colleague. Jim also endured multiple prison spells, and a second marriage attempt with Liz ended in 2005. Until now, it was assumed Jim remained loyal, often referring to Liz as Elizabeth.
In the weeks leading up to Jim's death, actor Charlie Lawson publicly criticised his final storyline, which involved Jim uncharacteristically conning Liz out of money by pretending his girlfriend was their deceased daughter. Lawson described the plot as "weak," noting that many fans contacted him expressing disdain. He stated, "The storyline was weak. So many people contacted me to say they hated it. I agreed to it before I even saw the script. The work was lucrative — you can’t really turn it down. Now he can’t be ruined any more. He’s out of his misery."
Lawson, who has also appeared in The Bill, Bread, and Doctors, reflected on Jim's legacy, saying, "I will raise a glass to the old Jim, the one I loved and was proud of, who spoke his mind, with cracking, strong storylines in the Nineties." He added in an interview with The Sun, "There are some bits I will miss about Corrie and some I won’t. But I have no regrets. That’s just life, so it is."
Implications for Coronation Street's Future Storylines
This retcon not only revises Jim McDonald's past but also introduces new dynamics for characters like Maggie Driscoll and Ben Driscoll, potentially fueling future conflicts and emotional arcs. The off-screen funeral and subsequent revelation underscore the soap's ability to blend nostalgia with shocking twists, keeping audiences engaged as it navigates complex family histories.
Coronation Street continues to air weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, promising more drama as the fallout from Jim McDonald's secrets unfolds.
