Coronation Street’s Colson Smith has lifted the lid on his show exit. The soap star has played Craig Tinker on the Cobbles since he was aged 12.
However, he has been confirmed as one of the characters who will be departing Weatherfield this year. The exact date of his exit has yet to be confirmed, but Colson has indicated he has already filmed his final scenes. The actor hosts the On the Sofa podcast with his co-stars Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price.
In the latest episode, he admitted he is devastated to be leaving the soap without making it to 1,000 episodes. He said: “They’ve said it’s 14 (years). Less than a thousand episodes though. That was my goal in life. I think I’m 150 off.”
The 26-year-old revealed his last scenes were filmed inside Roy’s Rolls. He confessed the most difficult part was seeing his co-hosts, as he couldn’t hold back the tears.
He said: “The hardest bit was walking down the stairs knowing you two were there. I just stood in the doorway of the green room didn’t it, and I looked at you two.
“This was the funniest part, and I think even in my teary state part of me went, ‘What is going on?’ As I’m hugging Ben, there’s a TV that is on the wall mounted in the green room and it was turned off. And I just saw the reflection of little Jack hugging my waist. We had a hug and then I went, ‘Can we go to Nando’s?’
Colson confirmed his exit in a statement last month. He said: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025. I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the GREATEST street in the world.
“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. For Me, this is just the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. LONG LIVE THE COBBLES!”
In a statement shared with the ECHO, an ITV spokesperson said: “The producers fully understand Charlotte’s desire to explore other projects, she is a talented ambitious actress”.
The spokesperson added Charlotte gave the show “plenty of time for the producer and writing team to devise a dramatic exit storyline which has already started to play out screen. She will be on screen until early summer.”
Colson’s exit was then followed up by fellow fan favourite, Charlotte Jordan, confirming her exit. ITV confirmed the star, renowned for her role as Daisy Midgeley since 2020, will be departing the show in the summer.