The Coronation Street cast have allegedly been warned of Charlie Lawson's return to the ITV soap as the actor reprises his role as ex-con Jim McDonald.

A mugshot of the actor has reportedly been circulated around the Corrie cast with the words "He's Back!" printed on it.

Lawson, who has previously battled with alcohol and drug problems, was stripped of his £100,000-a-year job in 2000 after it was rumoured that other members of the cast did not like him.

The 48-year-old actor briefly returned to the soap in 2003 when his character escaped from jail, but now show bosses have invited him back for a six-week stint as Jim is released from prison after serving a seven-year sentence.

A show source told The Mirror: "It's as if people are being given a warning he's about to descend on them."

They added: "Mind you, Charlie is no stranger to controversy and will probably have a chuckle when he hears about it."

When Jim walks back into Weatherfield, he is stunned to learn that his ex-wife, Liz (Bev Callard), is about to marry her new partner, Vernon Tomlin (Ian Reddington).