Charlie Lawson doesn't think Jim McDonald is politically correct enough for a 'Coronation Street' return.
Charlie Lawson isn't expecting a Corrie comeback
The 62-year-old actor - who appeared on the cobbles on and off between 1989 and 2018 - isn't sure if his character will ever make a comeback on the ITV soap because "the ambience of the show has changed completely".
He told the 'Distinct Nostalgia' podcast: "My gut instinct in these days that we live in now, I think it would be very hard.
"I'm not sure the writers would know what to do with Jim McDonald. I think the ambience of the show has changed completely.
"He is an old beast from a different age. His conception of political correctness would be non-existent. I'm not sure how he would fit into 'Corrie.' "
However, Charlie is still hopeful he'll get one more run as Jim, and he thinks a return would need to either see him back as he was, or a storyline leading to "his demise".
He added: "If you're going to bring him back, there's only one of two ways - he can be the Jim of old or the storyline will be his demise.
"I would love the McDonalds to come back together, of course I would. I'd love to work with them again. But I don't think it will, which is sad."
During his time on the cobbles - which he first walked down in 1989 - Jim battled alcoholism, committed manslaughter and was most notable for his stormy marriage to Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard), which ended for good when the character was sent back to prison following a failed robbery attempt.
He last appeared on the soap in 2018, attempting to con Liz out of money by passing a young woman off as the daughter she thought she had miscarried 25 years earlier.