Coronation Street's Jim McDonald WILL return to the cobbles as soap bosses tease 'explosive' comeback

Published: 10:35 BST, 27 April 2018 | Updated: 13:50 BST, 27 April 2018

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Coronation Street's Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) will return to the cobbles in the coming weeks as soap bosses teased an 'explosive' comeback for the hardman.

Jim, who is currently in prison for armed robbery of a building society, was last seen on the soap in 2014 when he illegally sold Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) alcohol in prison, and his sentence was extended after he used a contraband mobile phone to call his wife Liz (Beverley Callard).

Charles, 58, who first appeared as the legendary character in 1989, said: 'They wanted me back full time this year but I couldn't do it as I am doing 'Rebus' on stage, and a thriller.

Comeback:Coronation Street's Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) will return to the cobbles in the coming weeks as soap bosses teased an 'explosive' comeback for the hardman

Fiery: The hardman was known for his tempestuous relationship with wife Liz (Beverley Callard) with their first attempt at marriage ending in 1996 (pictured in 2011)

'I'm going to film a bit but then will be back again next year.'

A 'Coronation Street' spokesman told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Jim is such a hugely popular character. 'We're delighted he is coming back for what will be a typically explosive Jim storyline.

Fans had begun speculating over Charles' possible return after series producer Kate Oates, who will leave the soap in June, revealed an 'extremely well-known character' was returning to Corrie.

At the time, Charles refused to rule himself out and tweeted: 'I couldn't possibly comment. Everyone keeps telling me I am.'

Making a statement: Actor Charles, 58, who first appeared on Corrie in 1989 said: 'I'm going to film a bit but then will be back again next year'

Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor in the hit ITV soap, recently gushed about the actor, saying: 'Charlie Lawson has hinted that he might be returning to 'Coronation Street', which I'd be delighted about if it is true.

'When Michelle was pregnant with Ruairi, there was a worry that he might have inherited a degenerative disease from Jim so it would be interesting to pick that storyline back up if he did return.'

Keen fans of the soap were already aware that Jim's prison release date is later this year.

Charles was recently linked to a return following speculation his on-screen son Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) will propose to his partner, and ex-wife Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) in upcoming scenes.

Tension: Jim, who is currently in prison for armed robbery of a building society, was last seen on the soap in 2014 when he illegally sold Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) alcohol in prison, and his sentence was extended after he used a contraband mobile phone to call his wife Liz

Jim was known for his cool reserve, which gave way to a fiery temper when his family was threatened.

He had a tempestuous relationship with wife Liz with their first attempt at marriage ending in 1996 when he hit her after she confessed to a past fling with his co-worker Johnny Johnson.

They remarried in 2000 after which Jim was sentenced for the manslaughter of drug dealer Jez Quigley, who had beaten up their son Steve.

But the couple went their separate ways again in 2005 when Liz tired of waiting for him to be released, which happened in 2007.

He was banged up again in 2011 when he was given a seven-year sentence for attempting to rob the Lancashire & Fyle Building Society to get Liz enough money to buy the Rovers Return.