In a heated discussion on whether soaps have become too woke, Coronation Street star Charlie Lawson insists his infamous character, Jim McDonald, would struggle to interact with someone who identifies as a "plant pot".
Speaking to Dan Wootton on GB News Mr Lawson said: "I think people start to switch off because boxes are being ticked with such heavy black ink".
He added: "It would be difficult for the character I played for a long time on Coronation Street to respond to someone who identified as a plant pot or whoever they wanted to identify with.
Soap stars Sherrie Hewson, Charlie Lawson and Tina Malone spoke to GB News' Dan Wootton
GB News
A still from a Coronation Street clip showing Charlie Lawson's character Jim McDonald
Coronation Street
"He wouldn’t be able to deal with that situation. Personally, I don’t mind if you identify as a zebra."
Former brookside actress Tina Malone insisted it didn't matter that soaps were woke, just important that they continue to "reflect society".
The debate came after the news that June Brown, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the BBC soap Eastenders for more than 30 years, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.
It was revealed that she left the soap after she felt her character was being given misguided storylines.
She explained her frustrations in a letter replying to a fan. She wrote: "Dear Alfie, I couldn't agree with you more about the current EastEnders episodes and I'm very glad you chose to watch the drama channel.
Actress June Brown, who played Dot Cotton on the BBC soap EastEnders
Ian West
"The reason I left was because I no longer recognised the character they were writing for me so I'm afraid you won't see me again.
According to the Daily Mail, she continued: "They are already mentioning my character in the current episodes so what rubbish they will write about me is anyone's guess.
'Yours, June Brown 'Dot' x."
Following the news of Brown's passing, members of the EastEnders cast paid tribute to their co-star.
Gillian Taylforth, who plays Kathy Beale in the show, hailed Brown as “an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress”.
She said: “I’m truly heartbroken by this news. June Brown OBE, MBE, was an amazing woman and a truly wonderful actress.
“I shared many scenes with her over the years and she was always someone I looked up to and learnt from.
“There will never be another June Brown and I’m sending all my love to her family.”
Adam Woodyatt, who plays Taylforth’s on-screen son Ian Beale, also paid tribute to the actress, who died at her home in Surrey on Sunday with her family by her side.
He said: “I’m lost for words, something June never was.
“So many memories, so much fun. Just purely and simply an incredible woman who had the most incredible life and career, I was fortunate to have shared a small part of it.
“They never made you a Dame (we did try), but to me you will always be Dame Brown.”
