Charlie Lawson Speaks Out on Jim McDonald's Death After 37 Years in Coronation Street

CORONATION Street icon Charlie Lawson broke his silence after his beloved character Jim McDonald was killed off on last night’s episode.

Jim first appeared on our screens in 1989 to 2000 and returned for several stints between 2003 and 2018.

Charlie Lawson broke his silence on Jim McDonald’s deathCredit: X/@charlie_lawson1 The actor played the character on and off from 1989 to 2018Credit: Shutterstock Jim’s son Steve McDonald was left heartbroken as he received the devastating news last nightCredit: ITV

Charlie, 66, said a sad farewell to his soap character – but believed the reason he was killed off was due to his “political” beliefs.

Last night ITV viewers watched Jim’s son Steve McDonald receive the news that his father had .

Charlie said he was “proud” of his four decade career on the show and of what he had achieved with his character.

“I tuned in tonight for the end of the character I played for 11 years and returned seven times to Corrie playing Jim McDonald and tonight he died,” he told fans on social media in a short video.

“There are many reasons, political ones and all the rest that I shall answer in the next coming of time.

“But for all you people who supported me and the character for all these years… here,” as he lifted a wine glass up to the camera.

He added: “All the very best. We had a great run and I’m very proud of the character we created.

“Cheerio now.”

Charlie captioned it: “Farewell to the only real man on The Street!”

On Monday’s episode, Steve received the devastating news just as he was about to walk into a surprise proposal from Cassie Plummer.

But before Cassie could get the question out Steve got a phone call.

“It was my dad’s ex,” said Steve to his pal Tim.

“He’s dead. My dad’s dead.”

Charlie took a swipe at soap bosses for his exitCredit: ITV

The heartbreaking news comes after Steve decided against reuniting with his dad when he found out he was in hospital seriously ill.

But there’s a bigger shock to come.

However Jim’s death seems a long-held secret be exposed – that Jim has another son and he’s in .

The Sun exclusively revealed that Ben Driscoll will be revealed as Jim’s son in an explosive twist later this year.

A source said: “It’s going to be a huge shock for Steve when he finds out his dad’s dead but that’s not the biggest shock to come.

“It’s no surprise that Jim had an affair but for Steve to discover he’s got another brother out there is a huge shock.

“When Steve finds out it’s Ben it’s an even bigger shock – especially with how close he’s been getting to Ben.”

Ben arrived on the cobbles last year as the Rovers Return’s new landlord with partner Eva Price.

His mother Maggie tagged along too.

Viewers know Maggie has been hiding a major secret from her family after a flashback episode revealed she had killed her late husband during an argument.

The episode also revealed that she had been having an affair at the time when she conceived son Ben.

Another scene in the .

She made a hasty exit and the moment hasn’t been explored – but now The Sun can confirm that her secret will come out when the news of Jim’s death reaches her.

It was revealed earlier this year that cobbles icon almost 40 years since he arrived on the cobbles.

Actor of late having changed careers to open a cafe and appear on right wing news channels as a talking head.

Charlie changed careers to open a cafe and appear on right wing news channels as a talking headCredit: Pacemaker Press