Coronation Street star Colson Smith accidentally lets slip Craig Tinker’s death date after being axed from the soap
CORONATION Street star Colson Smith has accidentally revealed his character Craig Tinker’s death date.
It was first reported back in January that the 26-year-old actor was one of several stars who have been axed from the soap.
After 14 years on the cobbles, viewers will soon catch their final glimpse of the former Celebrity Big Brother finalist on Coronation Street.
However, he opened up about his exit on Good Morning Britain, where he inadvertently revealed his exact exit date.
Speaking to Ranvir Singh and Ed Balls, he admitted: “I’ve been gone three weeks now, I’ll always feel emotional.
“I will always miss the place. It was my home. It was my family. Those people, they helped me grow up.”
If he’s been off the set for three weeks, this means his exit will be shown to ITV viewers at some point in May.
But for now, he’s just looking forward to starting a new chapter in his life away from Weatherfield.
“It’s very different having done something for 14 years to now know that you’re not doing it anymore, and I’m excited to go out and have some fun.”
He added: “I’m excited, it feels like a new chapter of my life starting.”
Colson is one of a number of cast members to have faced the axe 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 chose to exit the soap following the high-profile departure of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years on-screen.
Colson previously broke his silence and confirmed he has officially completed his time on the cobbles.
Posting a picture of himself sitting on the Rovers Return Inn set, he captioned the grid page post: “CORONATION STREET I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU.”
Back in March, The Sun revealed earlier how Colson’s character Craig would be killed off in a dramatic storyline that will air this summer.
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.
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.
“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.”
Coronation Street continues on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX.