Coronation Street’s Colson Smith is set to be written out of the soap this summer, ending his 14-year stint as Craig Tinker.
An insider disclosed that the 26-year-old actor was informed several months ago about the decision to end his ITV character’s storyline in Weatherfield.
The source said: “Colson was told last autumn about Craig being written out of the show, he will be on screen until early summer. He is hugely grateful to have had 14 years working on the show and is excited about what promises to be a brilliant exit storyline. He is very positive about what the future holds for the next part of his career.”
Colson confirmed to the Mirror his knowledge of the upcoming departure: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to an end in 2025. I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world.”
The actor, who has notably lost 10 stone post-lockdown, expressed nothing but optimism about his future: “I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street. I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for Our Craigy.”
Embracing the change, Smith added: “For me, this is the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.”
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The Celebrity Big Brother finalist also showed appreciation for the soap’s new boss Kate Brooks, saying: “Long live the cobbles! “.
Corrie star Colson Smith has been at the heart of a major shake-up in Weatherfield, with producer Iain MacLeod hinting at dramatic departures last month: “There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves.”
The actor, who joined the show at age 11, has openly discussed his struggles with weight, telling The Mirror in 2021 about his unhealthy relationship with food after moving to Manchester at 17.
He said: “When everyone else was at uni, I’m sat on bloody Deliveroo every night. So I kind of had got myself into a really unhealthy position where food was a self-harm to me. It was my comfort and I didn’t realise how much damage I was doing to myself with it.”
However, having committed to a healthier lifestyle, he showcased his transformation from 22 stone down to around 12 in a YouTube documentary titled ‘Bored of Being the Fat Kid’, crediting a life coach for his success.
Colson’s profile was further boosted by appearances on ITV reality shows ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ last spring and ‘I’m a Celebrity: Unpacked’ late last year.
His upcoming exit adds to a growing list of Weatherfield departures, following on-screen mum Beth Tinker (portrayed by Lisa George), who left over the summer.
Helen Worth also retired her Gail Platt character after five decades during Christmas, and recent news breaking is that Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) is set to bid farewell after 25 years on the soap.
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