Coronation Street’s Colson Smith reveals new project after soap axe – as he opens up about final day on set
COLSON Smith has wasted no time lining up his next move after being axed from Coronation Street.
The Craig Tinker actor, who has been on the cobbles for 14 years, has lifted the lid on his emotional final day on set – while revealing an exciting new project in the works.
Corrie viewers know that Colson set to leave the ITV soap as Craig in an explosive storyline this summer.
Speaking on the On The Sofa podcast, the actor revealed details about his last day on set with the cast and crew which was filled with “plenty of tears.”
Colson talked to Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd about his speech saying: “Thank you doesn’t even cover it. It doesn’t come close to what I needed to say.”
“It was a very well put together off the cuff speech I thought,” Jack continued.
“You covered everything. You touched on you having your first experiences at work. From getting your first house, to having your first girlfriend, passing your driving test, all those big sort of milestones you’ve done while at work.
“People started to cry, and you said ‘thanks it’s been amazing, best job I’ve ever had – only job I’ve ever had’.”
Colson added: “It was the perfect way for me to end the perfect first chapter.”
The actor also revealed that his character is among the top 100 for most episode appearances, shocking his co-stars.
Colson then shared his plans for the future as he will be going to Kenya in August.
The Corrie cast gifted Colson a “running holiday” which he has chosen to use this summer.
He revealed: “I’m going to Kenya, I’m doing seven days at like an elite running camp and doing a three day safari.
“I’m running with the lions, leopards and cheetahs.”
Jack informed listeners about Colson being a keen runner, saying: “Colson likes to run” and has several “medals of marathons and 10k runs that Colson has completed in record-breaking times.”
The Sun exclusively revealed how his character was being killed off.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
A source told us: “Craig has grown up on the street and he’s become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it.
“PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.
“Colson is taking it well and there’s a real feeling that this chapter is closing for him and there are bigger and brighter things ahead.”
The star marked his soap exit with a wild, booze-fuelled leaving bash.
The police themed party paid homage to his character PC Tinker and featured fancy dress, balloons and police tape at the tapas bar and restaurant El Gato Negro Tapas in Manchester.
Many of Colson’s Corrie co-stars attended full of smiles including Andy Whyment, Brooke Vincent, Georgia Taylor, Lucy Fallon, Jacobs Roberts, Tony Maudsley and Sam Aston.
Colson shared snaps from the party on Instagram writing: “Leaving doo dump The perfect ending to the perfect chapter 1.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.