He is famous for playing one of Coronation Street’s toughest tough guys for the past 35 years. But in real life Jim McDonald actor Charlie Lawson was heading for more relaxing pursuits at the weekend.

For the soap’s legendary hard man was looking for soft skin as he placed himself in the hands of beauticians at a new salon in Macclesfield in Cheshire.

Charlie was happy to go for a glow up at the Beyond Beauty salon on Water Street which has just been launched by his friend Danielle Owens. Although the treatment he went for was firmly in keeping with his Irish roots.

For he opted for a Sphagnum moss facial – a treatment that uses the peat moss he fondly remembers from his days growing up in Northern Ireland.

Charlie said: “I know all about Sphagnum moss, it’s very common where I come from on the peat bogs, you can filter water through it. Ancient Celts have used it for thousands of years it’s wonderful stuff.”

So he was more than happy for salon owner Danielle to slather the moss all over his face for a treatment aimed at softening the skin. The “De-lux” organic face mask is said to: “restore youthful tone and texture”.

But Charlie was not tempted by any of the more intensive aesthetic treatments that the one-stop-beauty salon offers – including fillers and botox. He says he’s never been required to look anything less than rough and ready in his acting career.

He says: “I tend to play guys who don’t wear makeup, I’ve never played any weird kind of character really so I very seldom wear any make-up for filming. They put anti shine on me and that’s about it. I only ever had blood on Corrie!”