He took to social media to share a final message from the famous cobbles on his last day as Craig Tinker
Coronation Street star Colson Smith has officially left the long-running show and took to social media to share a final message from the famous cobbles on his last day.
The actor surprised fans at the start of the year as he told how ITV soap chiefs had decided to get rid of his character Craig Tinker. Colson has grown up alongside his character on-screen, having first appeared in Weatherfield as the son of Beth Tinker as a youngster back in 2011.
It was at the start of the year that Colson confirmed his time as his policing alter-ego is coming to an end. He shared the news in a social media statement.
In the post, shared to X and Instagram alongside a picture of himself portraying Craig as a police officer, which confirmed the news, Colson said at the time: “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 learned pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for Our Craigy.”
The 26-year-old added: “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!”
His exit, which officially took place on Friday (March 21) with Corrie filming up to ten weeks in advance, leaves him falling short of marking 14 years in the role of Craig this summer.
Following his last day on the Street, Colson took to Instagram with a snap in which he could be sitting above the Rovers Return sign. Alongside the post, the Celebrity Big Brother star said: “CORONATION STREET I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU.”
And the messages quickly came flooding in. Former Corrie star Brooke Vincent, who is famed for playing Weatherfield’s Sophie Webster, said: “My little brother forever proud of you.” Brooke’s cousin, and Colson’s former on-screen girlfriend Ellie Leach, also shared: “Sooooo proud of you,” while Ryan Thomas, who played Jason Grimshaw, simply said: “Brilliant!!”
@katie_burton11 commented: “Aww!! All the very best for your future Colson! What a blast it’s been watching you grow over the last 14 years.” @llioenlli wrote: “Nooo Corrie won’t be the same without Craig!! All the best!!”
@corinne_lord_85 posted: “Sorry to see you go colson. Can’t wait to see what you do next.” @gatlishmatt shared: “Will miss Craig. You have portrayed him brilliantly. Hope to see you back on our screens very soon. I wish you all the very best.”
@brummieswarlafan added: “Aww Craig will be missed. Good luck for your next role, you’ll smash it.” Meanwhile, @stuakbafc joked: “I’d get down from there if I was you, Daisy’s really angry at the moment.”
Earlier the same day, Colson confirmed he was heading into the studio at the Trafford-based set for the last time. Sharing a picture from his car that showed the ITV building in front of him, the soap star coule be seen listening to the Macy Gray track ‘I Try’ as he captioned the post: “The Last Dance,” with a hand making a heart emojis and an orange heart icon.