Former Corrie star Charles Lawson hits out at ‘fame-obsessed’ young soap actors

‘Throw all that bad attitude away and go to drama school!’ Former Corrie star Charles Lawson hits out at ‘fame-obsessed’ young soap actors

Former Coronation Street star Charles Lawson has hit out at ‘fame-obsessed’ younger soap actors.

The actor, 61, – who played Jim McDonald on the show – said many of the aspiring actors he meets are only interested in being as famous as possible but that they should focus on the basics first. 

Charles – who last appeared on the Manchester-based soap briefly in 2018 – said the youngsters should get rid of their ‘bad attitudes’ if they want to progress in the competitive industry. 

Brutal: Former Coronation Street star Charles Lawson has hit out at ‘fame-obsessed’ younger soap actors

Speaking to The Star, he said: ‘If you want to get into acting, stop being obsessed by fame.

‘Most young actors I meet are more interested in being famous than practising their craft. 

‘Throw all that bad attitude away and go to drama school. It wasn’t meant to be easy.

Wise words:u00A0The actor, 61, - who Jim McDonald on the show - said many of the aspiring actors he meets are only interested in being as famous as possible but that they should focus on the basics first

Wise words: The actor, 61, – who Jim McDonald on the show – said many of the aspiring actors he meets are only interested in being as famous as possible but that they should focus on the basics first

‘I watch the actors of today on very popular and celebrated, familiar shows and some of them are just awful. Get in some work and learn your art.’ 

Charles joined the soap as Jim in 1989, and has acted on screen with icons such as Bev Callard, Simon Gregson and Sarah Lancashire. 

He featured on the show full-time until 2000, and has dipped in and out since. 

During the interview, Charles also revealed he has been rewatching the old repeats of Corrie to reminisce on old times. 

Advice:u00A0Charles - who last appeared on the Manchester-based soap briefly in 2018 - said the youngsters should get rid of 'bad attitudes' if they want to progress. Pictured with Beverley Callard in 2018

Advice: Charles – who last appeared on the Manchester-based soap briefly in 2018 – said the youngsters should get rid of ‘bad attitudes’ if they want to progress. Pictured with Beverley Callard in 2018

He said: ‘It was party, party, party! My friendships with Bev, Simon, Sarah Lancashire, Eva Pope and Peter Armitage – they are my fondest memories.

‘I’m really enjoying classic Corrie at the minute.’

Charles had his fair share of difficult storylines when he was on the show including the tragic death of Jim’s daughter Katie in 1992. 

Support:u00A0Charles supported his friend Bev through her time on I'm A Celebrity stint last year, telling fans ahead of the show that she was 'tough cookie'

Support: Charles supported his friend Bev through her time on I’m A Celebrity stint last year, telling fans ahead of the show that she was ‘tough cookie’

Jim also had a spell in prison in the early noughties. 

Charles supported his friend Bev through her time on I’m A Celebrity last year, telling fans ahead of the show that she was ‘tough cookie’ and ‘won’t suffer fools’ in camp.’

He told Ok! Magazine: ‘If anybody thinks they’re the dogs b******* or they’re trying to be number one, she won’t stand for it. 

‘If you hear her saying something like ‘Who the f*** does he/she think they are?’ then you’ll know trouble is brewing!

‘She’s really a tough cookie.’

Icons:u00A0Charles also revealed he has been rewatching the old repeats of Corrie to reminisce on old times

Icons: Charles also revealed he has been rewatching the old repeats of Corrie to reminisce on old times