Corrie's too woke for me... they will probably never invite me back

STAR CHARLIE ON DATED JIM MCDONALD'S FUTURE

- MARK JEFFERIES

Charlie Lawson does not think his tough-talking Corrie character will ever return to the cobbles because the show has gone 'too woke' for him.

The Northern Irishman played Jim McDonald from 1989 for 11 years then returned on several more occasions the last being six years ago.

These days, his character could perhaps politely be described as a man from another era.

And Charlie admits he is confused about some aspects of modern life.

Asked if Jim might ever come back again from Down Under, where the character is based, Charlie, 65, said: "It wouldn't shock me if he dies in Australia. It would be a terrible waste of a character, and I would stand up and have a pint and salute him.

"But I wouldn't be broken-hearted because I've been back seven or eight times, for Christ's sake, since 2001 - that's pretty damn good as it's 2024.

"Now I haven't been back since 2018 but the whole world has changed since then into a crazy, woke... it's all changed.

"You don't know where you're at and what you can say or whatever, so the golden rule is just say it the way you used to say it.

"When I find that the SNP, a political party, are endorsing the fact that there are 24 genders, I'm lost.

"I don't know anyone like that but I would be just as confused, but I wouldn't be uncomfortable, because I'd find myself saying, 'Do you want to explain this a wee bit more?' Do you know what I mean?

"I'm not quite sure how Jim would react to 24 genders in Weatherfield. I suspect he would say that was nonsense."