Charles Lawson going back to Coronation Street

Coronation Street favourite Jim McDonald is returning to the soap, the actor who plays him said.

But Charles Lawson said in an interview that he feared his character, the former husband of long-suffering Rovers Return landlady Liz McDonald, would be killed off.

The soap is planning explosive storylines to coincide with its 50th anniversary this year, with one plot seeing key characters killed when a tram crashes on to the street's famous cobbles.

Northern Irish actor Charles said he was to film scenes later this year, adding that he would still be on the ITV show in December for the anniversary.

Asked if he could reveal any plotlines, he said: "I'm going back into the street for a few episodes... I haven't seen the scripts and even if I could, you know I couldn't.

"But I have no idea. I suspect either I'm going to get killed, or..."

Speculation has been mounting over which characters will dramatically leave the show in the crash.

Discussing the likelihood of former army sergeant McDonald being a victim, Charles said: "I don't know. I suspect I've probably been in the frame for it - whether or not I'm going to be, I've no idea, to be honest with you and if not I don't know what I'm going to do. But I'll be around for the 50th anniversary."

Charles, who has been acting for 31 years, said he would be upset if his character was killed off, but added: "Work's work for me. If a character gets killed I would be sad, but really I would be waiting for my next job."

It is not the only involvement Charles, who last appeared in Coronation Street in 2009, will have with the soap this year.

It was announced last month that he will narrate a stage version of the series. Corrie! opens at The Lowry in Salford on August 12.

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