Coronation Street actor Charlie Lawson has publicly described the decision to kill off his long-running character Jim McDonald as a "tragedy," following significant fan frustration over the storyline. The news broke earlier this week that Jim, absent from the soap since 2018, will die off-screen, with his son Steve learning of his passing through a telephone call.
Disappointment Over a 'Weak' Exit
Speaking about the character's demise, Charlie Lawson revealed his deep disappointment, stating that his once-great character has been given an underwhelming and "weak" exit. Jim McDonald was a fixture on Coronation Street from 1988 to 2000 and has returned for several guest appearances since. Lawson lamented, "That is it. It's a tragedy he didn't go in a shooting or something dramatic, powerful and great. But that wasn't possible because they'd effectively chopped his balls off."
Final Storyline and Fan Reaction
Charlie Lawson last appeared in Coronation Street in 2018, involved in a plot where Jim tried to convince his estranged wife Liz that their daughter, lost as a baby, was still alive and had been swapped at birth. This storyline was later revealed to be a scam, with "Hannah" actually being Jim's lover, attempting to extract money from Liz and Steve.
Reflecting on this final narrative, Lawson told The Sun On Sunday, "The storyline was weak. So many people contacted me to say they hated it. 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."
Upon the announcement of Jim's off-screen death, fans expressed their dismay on social media. Comments included, "Jim McDonald is the greatest Corrie character ever! So he is," and "I’m glad you got to find out and they didn’t spring it onto you. That’s a good thing about it but I’m still annoyed they are getting rid of Jim." Another fan added, "Seconded. Lousy, tacky decision and deserve more after 37 years!" Some attributed the decision to broader changes, with one noting, "Sadly Woke street nowadays Charlie."
Charlie Lawson's Health Concerns
In a separate development, Charlie Lawson, aged 65, has recently disclosed serious health issues. In May, he revealed that something had "gone seriously wrong" after being rushed to hospital. The actor shared on social media that he was struggling to walk, having fallen over twice, and was in "great pain," unable to stand on his tiptoes.
In a video posted to X, he explained, "Well hello folks, from a rather, erm, well I'm not sure what it's doing outside to be honest with you. It was rather nice when I came in, but here I am again in special day care in Macclesfield hospital waiting to see an osteopath and hopefully getting a transfer to Salford Royal to the spinal unit. That's the plan, but I was talking to you last time from the same cubicle and I ended up back at home at half ten at night so we shall wait and see."
He continued, "I'm fine, I just simply can't walk properly. I'm in great pain, and I can't stand on my tiptoes now so this is very comfortable [in the bed] but if I stand up I just fall over so there's something seriously gone wrong. So, I'll keep you posted. Cheerio now!" Alongside the clip, he penned "Encore une fois!!!" meaning "once again, one more time" in French. Previously, Lawson had undergone an MRI scan and was awaiting results from a spinal surgeon.
Future Prospects and Reflections
Last year, Charlie Lawson admitted he does not foresee being invited back to Coronation Street to reprise his role as Jim McDonald, whom he last portrayed in 2018. He told the Daily Mirror newspaper, "It wouldn't shock me if he dies in Australia. I think it would be a terrible waste of a character, and I would stand up and have a pint and salute to him. But I wouldn't be broken-hearted because I've been back seven or eight times, for Christ's sake, since 2001 that's pretty damn good as it's 2024."
He added, "Now I haven't been back since 2018 but the whole world has changed since then into a crazy woke sort of... it's all changed. I'm not quite sure how Jim would react to 24 genders in Weatherfield. I suspect he would probably - if the writers had the courage - I suspect he would probably say that that was nonsense."
