Watch out Liz, Jim’s back
What trouble will he cause this time round?
Jim’s coming back with a lot of resentment because of what Steve did
Jim Mcdonald returns to Weatherfield this week after serving a sevenyear stretch in the big house. Back in 2011, he was sent down for a bungled armed robbery on a building society. Now he’s a free man, and former Corrie boss Kate Oates – who was responsible for bringing Jim back – has revealed that he’s bearing a big grudge.
And why wouldn’t he? Jim’s had more Christmas dinners in the slammer than he’s had visits from his family, which won’t have done much for his morale. And let’s not forget that a few years ago he was diagnosed with the genetic condition myotonic dystrophy, and he told Steve that he could have it, too. In the event, Steve tested negative – but he’s never bothered to find out how his dad’s getting on.
‘Jim’s going to be coming back with a lot of resentment because of what Steve did,’ says Kate. ‘From his point of view, he has been rotting in prison and no one cared.’
Steve is having his stag do in The Rovers when Jim pitches up without warning. The evening has been arranged as a surprise by Steve’s pals, who know that he won’t have much in the way of fun once he’s married to Tracy.
The groom-to-be is stunned, and soon ends up handcuffed to the bar, but he’s in for another shock when his old man walks through the door.
Steve tells his dad that he wants nothing to do with him, and storms out of the pub. But there’s one man who does want to have a few words with Jim. Peter was on the same prison wing as him when he was on remand for Tina Mcintyre’s murder, and the recovering alcoholic nearly died when his former neighbour got him back on the booze. He lunges at Jim, who begs for a chance to explain himself.
Liz is watching from behind the bar as the drama unfolds but, unlike Steve, she’s willing to give her ex-husband the time of day. After bringing Jim up to speed on Steve’s love life, she promises to have a word with their son on his behalf.
But with Jim having an axe to grind, could Liz be headed for a fall as she lets him back into her life?