CORONATION Street legend Charlie Lawson has broken his silence at the news Jim McDonald is being killed off from the soap next month – off-screen.

The star was one of the main faces of the soap in the 80s and 90s before making sporadic returns over the years.

But now, 35 years after his first appearance, Jim McDonald will die leaving son Steve struggling.

Actor Charlie Lawson played the role in the ITV soap from 1989 before making his final appearance in 2018.

The Sun understands that actor Charlie Lawson has known for some time of the development and he has now confirmed that.

He revealed on social media that he found out in September, before blaming his “politics” for the decision.

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Viewers will see Steve soon get news that estranged dad Jim is unwell again, with an invitation to visit him and repair their strained relationship.

Thinks took a turn the last time they saw each other when Jim returned to Weatherfield with his and ex-wife Liz’s ‘daughter’ Katie.

He convinced Liz that Katie – who died shortly after birth – had in fact been baby-swapped in hospital.

However the truth emerged that Katie – who was actually called Hannah – wasn’t their daughter.

Instead she was Jim’s secret lover and the whole plot was a money-grabbing scheme to rinse Liz and Steve of their money.

Actor Charlie has previously slammed the soap and now instead focuses on his career as a ‘talking head’ on right wing channel GB News.