Actor Charlie Lawson, who plays the fiery Irishman, is about to sign a six-week contract to start filming in October and viewers will see him on screen in the run-up to Christmas.
His return is sure to cause fireworks, particularly as Liz — his beloved ex-wife twice over — is dating again.
Her engagement to drummer Vernon has just ended after a fling with married brewery man Derek. Last night a Street source said: “Liz has had a chequered love life since divorcing Jim a second time.
“So whether she’ll be pleased to see him again remains to be seen. We’re guessing not — though with those two, anything can happen.”
Jim — who peppers his conversation with the phrase “So it is” — first appeared in the Street in 1989 and quickly gained a reputation as a Weatherfield bad guy.
After various marital break-ups, violent outbursts and brushes with the police, he found himself in jail for killing drug-dealing thug Jez Quigley.
Jim was last seen on screen in 2003, when he broke out of prison fearing that mini-skirted missus Liz — played by Beverley Callard — was having an affair with her boss at a Blackpool pub.
The pair tried to flee to Ireland, but stopped to rescue Ashley and Claire, who were adrift in a boat.
Jim was recaptured and soon afterwards he was in trouble again, for attacking a cellmate — and Liz was so fed up she divorced him for a second time.
His parole licence was also cancelled and he was ordered to remain in jail until the end of his sentence.
Actor Charlie, 47, is clearly not putting all his eggs in one basket — he has also signed to play panto villain Abanazer in Aladdin at Stockport Plaza at Christmas.
