Corrie star explains shock Jim storyline

Coronation Street star Charles Lawson has discussed his character's shock armed robbery plotline, admitting that Jim McDonald is a "desperate man" when he tries to steal a fortune.

Tonight's double bill of the Weatherfield soap sees Jim resort to drastic measures as he holds up a bank in a bid to raise the cash he needs to buy the Rovers Return.

However, as the drama unfolds, things start to go wrong when the bank cashier secretly presses a panic button, alerting the police to Jim's crime.

Explaining his alter ego's behaviour, Lawson told Hot TV magazine: "I don't think for a moment he thought, 'Right, one way I could get the pub is to rob the bank'. He is just a desperate man and he can't face telling Liz that he hasn't got the cash to buy the pub for her.

"He isn't thinking about the consequences - Jim has never been a man who thinks about the consequences of his actions. He is hot-heated and a man of actions, not words. It has got him into so much trouble before and this is no different, but he doesn't learn his lesson."

The actor continued: "He isn't thinking straight and it doesn't go to plan, but you'll have to tune in to find out what happens."

Jim's storyline reaches a conclusion this week and also leads to the departure of Liz, as Beverley Callard has decided to bow out from the role.

Lawson added: "It's nice to be able to dip in and out. You never know, it may not be the last you see of Jim and Liz - they both have connections to the street so they could easily turn up again. I have always loved working with Beverley, but we keep in touch away from the show anyway."

Watch a preview of tonight's Jim-centric Coronation Street double bill below:



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