Coronation Street star Colson Smith swaps ITV for the BBC as he lands new job - days after his character in the soap was brutally killed off
Coronation Street star Colson Smith has landed a new role at the BBC just days after his character was brutally killed off by the ITV soap.
The actor, 26 - who had played PC Craig Tinker in Corrie for 14 years - was left gutted after ITV bosses broke the news to him that his time on the soap was to come to an end.
Craig Tinker's final scenes aired on Wednesday night, with fans fuming that the soap star had been 'done dirty' after he was beaten to death with a bat by Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton).
But Colson has moved on quickly from the disappointment, as he took Instagram on Friday to reveal he's swapped ITV for the BBC.
'Thank you so much for all the love this week! I really appreciate it,' he wrote.
From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop.
'Some of you have been asking, what next for me? There's a few exciting things going off!
'BUT one thing I can tell you for now, is that I'm joining the team at BBC Radio Leeds this summer!! Catch ya on the wireless in Yorkshire!!'
Fans seemed delighted for Colson after the actor shared his 'brilliant news'.
They wrote: 'WooHoooooooo!!!! Now this makes me VERY happy!!! Good lad!!!',
'Such a lovely lad, hope you'll go in to presenting x',
'Good news ,your stylish approach to your Corrie departure is to be applauded',
'This is so good for you...happy for you'.
During an appearance on This Morning earlier this week, Colson opened up about the emotional moment he found out his time in Weatherfield was coming to an end.
Fans took to the comments section of Colson's post to praise him for the new role
Taking to the iconic sofa alongside Ben Shephard, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, on Thursday, he said: 'I've been in that building since I was 12. I know how it works. It's like any work place, you pick up on vibes, you pick up on things..
'I knew, I had a meeting at 7pm one night after work.
'I was in the Rovers all day, I was sat there kind of not saying anything, but my brain was like "I know what's coming tonight!".
'I told Jack and Ben, my two best mates at work, tonight's the night, I'm getting binned, that's what we call it.
'I was like tonight's the night, will you be there for me.
'They were there and I went up to boss, she looked at me and went "This isn't going to be an easy conversation."
'I was like "Well let's go and have it. Let's get it out the way."'
Colson described finding out the cast's reaction to the news as the 'hardest thing'.
'I found out on the night and went in next day, it was Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt's last day,' he said.
'I'd gone in and I'm like "I'm about to ruin Helen's last day.
'"I cant do this!"
'But then, do I keep a secret. but by the time I had got into work, everyone knew, it was like Colson had died.
'I walked into the greenroom and awkwardly laughed and Lucy Fallon was heavily pregnant at the time, she burst in tears, Julia Gording was crying all day.
'I felt for Jack and Ben - they were losing their mum and found out that their mate was going. It was a roller coaster of emotions, it had been the whole way through.
'And the last day, Andy Whyment was just crying, he couldnt even park his car straight in the morning.'
Fans were left truly heartbroken watching Colson's alter-ego Craig die on their screens.
Viewers flocked to social media to share their sadness over his death, with many complaining that 'he deserved a happy ending!'
One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Nah Coronation Street did Craigy dirty there, we do not want more deaths he deserved a happy ending.'
Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their heartbreak over the devastating scenes that aired on Wednesday evening
'NOT OUR CRAIGY!!! Justice for Craig.'
'Not our Craigy. I was hoping they'd let Craig leave happy on transfer to a different district to go further up his career ladder but man #corrie that was brutal.'
'Sad to see the end of Craig Tinker on @itvcorrie. I wish they could have left the door open for the always sunny character. I found a few drawing I did of him from years back.'
'RIP CRAIG . Also known as PC Tinker. The best police officer that the street has ever known.'
'Not Craig #Corrie.'
'Absolutely hate that we lost Craig that way - if anyone deserved a happy ending, it was Tinker.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Is 'bad attitude' useful? Fans on Cunha signing
We asked for your views on Matheus Cunha signing for Manchester are some of your comments:Nick: I'm happy with this. We're creating, but not scoring, so getting someone in who has experience scoring in the Premier League can only be a good I think it is a fantastic signing in this struggling Manchester United era. I see hope because he can play in so many positions in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 and United need goals, that's all they Cunha has the skills but does he have the temperament for the most 'under the microscope' and 'under pressure' club currently in the world? I hope so but so much needs to change around him to get the best from him. Let's hope Amorim's plan gets the support from the boardroom. I'm still holding my At last; the right player, at the right price and at the right age. What could go wrong?Karl: Definitely a step in the right direction. His stats say he has everything we've been missing - awareness, speed, balance, a finishing edge and above all, confidence. Can't wait to see how he works alongside the likes of Amad, Fernandes and Yes, he's renowned for his 'bad attitude' but that's just because he wants to win, which is an attitude sadly lacking in quite a few of our current squad. I seem to recall a certain Mr Cantona was slated for his attitude when we signed him!
Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Doctor Who star breaks silence on surprise exit after rumours of bitter BBC row
Ncuti Gatwa has left his role as the Doctor after just two years and Billie Piper is set to take over after his regeneration on the show's latest season finale Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has spoken out about his departure from the beloved sci-fi series. The actor, 32, who first gained widespread recognition in Netflix 's Sex Education, said an unexpected emotional farewell during the dramatic season finale on Saturday night. After two series flying through space and time to put the universe to rights in the TARDIS, Ncuti has officially stepped down from his role as the Time Lord. His successor has already been confirmed as Billie Piper, who previously played the Doctor's companion Rose Tyler in 2005. After speculation that this exit is happening as a result of a rift with the BBC, Ncuti has addressed his departure in a video, explaining that the demands of the role had taken a toll on him both physically and mentally. He shared: "It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. "I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it's time." He also took to social media to reflect on the wild journey his version of the Doctor had experienced over the last two years. Ncuti wrote: "'Monsters, goblins, gods, human-eating Slugs, invisible brain altering creatures, evil barbers, conspiracy theorists… you've had quite a busy two years. Well done and rest up son. Thank you endlessly XV." In his farewell message, Ncuti also acknowledged how hard it is to say goodbye to the role, saying: "You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. "There are no words to describe what it feels like to be cast as the Doctor, nor are there words to explain what it feels like to be accepted into this iconic role that has existed for over 60 years and is truly loved by so many across the globe." His comments come in the wake of online speculation that he had been suddenly dropped from the role. Some fans pointed out that Ncuti previously said he was preparing to film another season of Doctor Who, and questioned what prompted the change of plan. One posted online saying: "In October 2024, Ncuti Gatwa was on The Graham Norton Show saying he was going to be filming another series of DW [Doctor Who] next year. In June 2025, he officially leaves the show and regenerates. This was never the plan. What a shame." However, the BBC was quick to shut down those claims. A spokesperson said: "Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction." Now Billie Piper is going to be the second woman ever to play the Time Lord, following Jodie Whittaker, who also made a surprise cameo in the finale.
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chelsea 'begin talks with £50m-rated Borussia Dortmund star' - as they look to further bolster attack ahead of Club World Cup
Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Borussia Dortmund 's Jamie Gittens as they begin talks over a potential £50million move for the winger. Enzo Maresca 's side are looking to bolster their attack as they prepare for life in the Champions League next season, for the first time in three seasons. Mail Sport understands that Liam Delap has already undergone the first part of his medical ahead of joining the Blues from Ipswich Town for £30m. And now they have set their sights on bringing in a winger to accompany their new frontman. Chelsea first reported their interest in Gittens, 20, when they enquired about his services in January, and according to the Telegraph, they are now ready to act. The England Under 21s starlet is believed to have a release clause around the £50m mark, with many of European football's elite clubs circling. With Jadon Sancho's future at Chelsea still up in the air - with the club debating whether to turn on their obligation to buy the Manchester United loanee for £25m - the Gittens deal is taking their full attention. The west London side are believed to be pushing for a deal to be completed quickly due to both their and Dortmund's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins on June 14. Gittens would be able to play for the Blues in the competition, should he sign, due to not being selected in Lee Carsley's Young Lions squad as they seek to retain the Under 21s Euros in Slovakia this summer. The Club World Cup is seen as a priority over the youth international tournament, so Gittens was left out by Carsley due to Dortmund's participation. The winger is the next star off of the Bundesliga production line, following in the footsteps of both Sancho and Jude Bellingham by shining in Dortmund. After breaking through in the 2023-24 campaign, Gittens truly began to shine in the last 12 months, scoring 12 goals and bagging five assists in all competitions last season. He also made history in the Champions League, becoming the youngest English player to score in the tournament when he found the net against 15-time winners Real Madrid, aged just 20 and 75 days.
