ITV Coronation Street soap legend predicts show's demise, as he criticises 'average' acting and gruelling schedules

Coronation Street stalwart Charlie Lawson has issued a grim forecast for the future of the beloved soap, suggesting it could face its final curtain within the next ten years.

The actor, who has become synonymous with his role as Jim McDonald since 1989, believes that subpar performances and the exhaustion of older cast members are alienating die-hard viewers, sparking fears that Weatherfield may not survive the coming decade.

During the memorial service for the late Corrie writer John Stevenson, Charlie and fellow actress Sarah Lancashire shared their worries. The Daily Star reports he expressed his concerns: "I fear that 'Corrie' might not be here in ten years' time. Sarah and I were talking. We both agreed John wouldn't recognise the show."

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he went on to voice his dismay at the current state of the programme, noting: "We felt it was a completely different animal, so fundamentally different from our day - and the viewing figures have plummeted."

Charlie also highlighted the intense demands placed on longstanding actors such as Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Barbara Knox (Rita Tanner), hinting they might follow in the footsteps of Helen Worth (Gail Platt), who is departing after an impressive fifty years portraying Gail.

He concluded with a sombre reflection on the current climate behind the scenes: "The workload is huge. The cast is huge, there's less time for enjoyment, for fun, to get to know the vast quantity of people there.

"It wouldn't surprise me if some of the stable of elderly actors leave too. I know they are not happy, it's not the happy ship it used to be.

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"They are the foundation of 'Corrie', and the young ones have to try and live up to that. But I'm afraid most of them never will. Some are great but many performances from some of the younger cast are extremely average, sometimes disappointing.

"They use Alison King all the time because she's a f****** brilliant actress. But I know she gets absolutely knackered."

He continued: "If you've got the best centre forward on the park, you use them. And they do, with Simon (Gregson) too. They are quality, they get flogged sometimes. The only way I can see him going back is to die.

"How could Jim fit in now? Television has become dipped in a large bucket of PC woke s***e. You'd have to change him completely, cut his nuts off. I couldn't play that.

"It would be a disservice to every 'Corrie' writer past and present and to the character, who became a legend. It's sad. I want the character to stay alive forever."

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