Coronation Street has reached the decision to kill off one of its most famous characters, more than 35 years after he made his debut on the cobbles.
Jim McDonald will die off-screen as part of a new story for Steve (Simon Gregson), who will face an emotional dilemma.
The story will unfold next month, as per storylines seen by Metro.
And Charles Lawson, one of the staples of the show in the 90s particularly, has insisted that he is okay with his alter ego being axed.
He responded to X users, confirming that there are no hard feelings with the show, and that they informed him of their decision last September.
However, in a separate post, he put the decision down cryptically to ‘politics’.
Outspoken on social media and a regular contributor on GB News, Charles is perhaps more known these days for sharing his views rather than his time as Jim.
He has also been candid on financial difficulties and lack of job offers.
The father of Andy and Steve, and husband to Beverley Callard’s Liz, will pass away, causing mixed feelings for Steve.
While it is unknown whether Nick Cochrane will reprise his role as Andy for the story, it has already been ruled out, as first reported by Radio Times, that Bev will make a comeback as Liz, given her new long-term role in Shortland Street.
It’s not the only exit centred around Steve either, with Claire Sweeney making the tough decision to quit the show after three years in order to take a stage role in Annie.
A spokesperson for Corrie told Metro: ‘We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play.
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‘Cassie will be on the cobbles until the summer during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield leading up to a great exit storyline.’
As for Jim, he was notable for being overly protective of his family and, over time, the show went on to focus more and more on his temper.
In some of the show’s most controversial scenes, Jim was seen hitting Liz during a nasty argument.
He was also at the centre of many a Corrie brawl, as well as being seriously injured in a clash with son Steve which led him to plunging from scaffolding.
Later, to get gangster Jez Quigley out of Steve’s life, Jim brutally beat him to death and was then jailed.
He made several short comebacks over the years, meeting Peter Barlow in prison and also committing armed robbery.
His last notable – and very sour-taste leaving storyline – came when he conned Liz into believing their lost child was alive.
It is one of fans’ most despised plotlines of all time, with many taking to X sad that this may end up as Jim McDonald’s legacy.
