Coronation Street legend to stage TV return just weeks after exit

Metro

6 hours ago

Coronation Street's Colson Smith is very busy following his departure from the soap.
Colson played Craig Tinker from 2011-2025. The character was killed a few weeks ago while on duty as a police officer.
'Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker's time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025,' he wrote on Instagram earlier this year, confirming his departure.
'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.'
Chapter two for Colson, so far, involves popular TV gameshows. The star previously revealed on the podcast On The Sofa that he will appear on Celebrity Mastermind soon, but he's also set to add another tense quiz show to his list.
Colson confirmed in a chat with his co-stars, friends and fellow podcast presenters Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price that he's due to feature on The Weakest Link, hosted by Romesh Ranganathan.
The actor went on to share that he's also been approached to appear on BBC One's Pointless, but he obviously needs to do this with a mate.
'They've also come in and asked about Pointless, but I've got to do it with a buddy', Colson said.
'Oh I'll do that. Yeah, I'm good at pointless!', Jack responded.
The actor previously told Metro and other publications that it was his decision to be killed off from Corrie, wanting a more finite exit storyline. More Trending
'For me to go, I would want to leave,' he explained.
Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?
Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.
Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers!
'I would want to die, I would want the door to be shut, so then I can know in my head that Corrie has been this, Corrie has done that, and it is now done, and Craig's journey is over.
'So in a really weird way, it was the right thing for me to be killed. I didn't want that 'we might have you back', knowing that it would be very unlikely, and knowing that it would feel a bit like unfinished business and an unfinished job.
View More »
'So I think Craig dying, and Craig dying in the line of duty as a copper, that kind of hero's death was by far the most perfect story for the exit.'
MORE: Coronation Street star devastated as business burns down in fire
MORE: EastEnders legend reveals emotional reaction to Zoe Slater's return
MORE: Coronation Street fan-favourite to stay on show as star signs new contract