Coronation Street legend to die 35 years after debut

Corrie are killing off a legendary character

From Ken Barlow to Kevin Webster, much of the cast have made it through many a disaster.

From murders to tram crashes, Wetherfield has seen it all, and many of the show's stalwarts are still standing.

However, Corrie bosses have now confirmed that one of the show's longest running characters is about to meet his end.

Jim McDonald made his debut on the cobbles 35 years ago, but it seems he doesn't have much long left.

Bosses have confirmed that the character, played by Charles Lawson, will be killed off screen.

Lawson made his first appearance as Jim on the show way back in 1989, and appeared regularly until 2000.

He then came back briefly in some episodes between 2003 and 2018.

However, since then, Jim has only been mentioned by name, as he is the father of one of the cobbles' most iconic characters, Steve McDonald.

Corrie sources told Radio Times that Steve will be informed of his estranged dad's death at some time in March of this year.

Lawson responded to the news of his character's death online, writing on X: “I’ve known since early September, but I’ve always respected the confidentiality of the programme.”

He added: “It wasn’t a surprise when I was informed last year.”

In a separate post, the actor, who is known for his outspoken beliefs, said the decision to kill Jim off was down to 'politics'.

Lawson has been critical of Coronation Street in recent years, claiming that former writer John Stevenson would 'no longer recognise the show'.

“We felt it was a completely different animal, so fundamentally different from our day and the viewing figures have plummeted,” he told The Sun.

He told The Mirror that he doubted his character would return after leaving in 2018, saying the show had now become too 'woke'.