Colson Smith looks downcast as he’s seen for first time since being axed from Coronation Street

COLSON Smith appeared downcast as he was seen for the first time today following his axe from Coronation Street.

The 26-year-old revealed last week how bosses had decided to get rid of his character Craig Tinker, who he has played since 2011.

He emerged today for a gym session, but failed to raise a smile as headed to his work out.

Colson – who has become a fitness fanatic in recent years – opened up about his shock exit for the first time on his podcast yesterday.

Speaking on On The Sofa, which he co-hosts with fellow Corrie actors, Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd, Colson said he first suspected something was amiss when the boss’ PA asked him to attend a meeting at 7pm after filming.

Jack and Ben both waited outside in the corridor for Colson as he was delivered the ultimate blow.

Colson said: “The hardest bit was walking down the stairs knowing you two were there.

“I just stood in the doorway of the green room and just looked at you two.”

The trio then headed out for a Nando’s before Colson confessed to keeping the news under wraps due to it being Helen Worth’s final week and her leaving party.

Colson, who starred in Celebrity Big Brother last year, continued: “The thing I’m going to miss more than anything in the world isn’t Craig Tinker, it’s the green room.

“I have learned everything about life in that building.

“Every good day I’ve had in my life and every bad day I’ve had in my life, I’ve been in there.”

Details of Craig’s exit are being kept under wraps for now with Corrie fans already guessing about how their favourite stars will leave the show in the coming months.

Colson is one of a number of stars to have been given the boot over the past few days with co-stars Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) having also been written out by bosses.

Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) also opted to quit the programme following the high-profile exit of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years.