Colson Smith to depart Coronation Street

Coronation Street actor Colson Smith has been let go from the soap after 14 years

He shared the news on Instagram, revealing that he learned about his departure in Autumn 2024 and will be bidding farewell to the cobbles later this year.

“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. For me, this is the end of the beginning. “I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.”

Colson’s character, Craig, made his debut in 2011 alongside his mother Beth, who left the show over the summer. Throughout his time on the show, Craig has navigated various storylines, including a romance with Faye Windass, his struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and his duties as a police constable tackling crime in Weatherfield.

He joins a growing list of actors who have recently exited or are set to leave the ITV soap. Just last week, it was reported that Sue Cleaver had stepped down from her role as Eileen Grimshaw after 25 years, while Christmas marked the end of Helen Worth’s time as Gail Platt after an impressive 50 years.

In tonight’s episode (6 January), viewers witnessed Luca Toolan’s final scenes as the reformed school bully Mason Radcliffe, who tragically lost his life to a knife attack from his abusive brothers.

It is believed that Coronation Street is facing financial challenges, leading to the decision to let go of several cast members to help manage costs. Lisa George departed as Beth over the summer, and Sue Devaney is expected to leave her role as Debbie Webster at the conclusion of a dementia storyline.