Home > Soaps > Charlie Lawson prefers farming to Coronation Street April 26th, 2011 by Lisa McGarry. No comments Charlie Lawson prefers farming to acting. The 51-year-old star – best known for playing ‘Coronation Street’ rogue Jim McDonald on and off since 1989 – claims his profession has grown increasingly “boring” and is now more content to work with partner Debbie Stanley in their farm shop in Cheshire. He said: “I wouldn’t say farming’s taken over our lives, but it’s become important to Debbie and we enjoy working together immensely. “It gives me an opportunity to say no to things that I don’t want to do. Because there’s nothing worse after 35 years of doing things you don’t want to bloody do. “The acting business has changed a great deal since I started. There’s very little time for fun anymore. It’s all got a bit serious. It’s frowned upon if you have a glass of wine.” Charlie, 51, is particularly unhappy with the attitudes of producers and directors, saying he hates the...