Jim Mc Donald returns to Coronation Street this week, but it’s not the proud return he would have hoped for.

Last week, soap fans learned that Jim had been released from prison early, but had to stay in a bail hostel and report daily to his social worker. However, while at the hostel Jim had his clothes and shoes stolen, and so this week he is forced to come walking, in his socks, to Coronation Street to ask for help from his son Steve.

Steve (Simon Gregson, 33) admits: “I have to help him. I bought my mum a pub, so the least I can do is give my dad a job.”

So Steve offers Jim, played by 48-year-old Ulsterman Charlie Lawson, the post of full-time car cleaner at the taxi firm.

Will this give Jim the chance to break up Liz and Vernon’s relationship before their New Year’s wedding takes place?

“Despite their volatile relationship, in which he handed out severe beatings to his wife, Jim has never stopped loving Liz,” an insider told the Daily Star.

“He would do anything for her if she would give him another chance.
“It’s down to Liz to decide whether she wants to give up the opportunity of happiness with Vernon and return to her ex, or go ahead with the wedding and put the past behind her.”