Axed Coronation Street star reveals 'exciting' new job after leaving ITV soap

Yahoo

26-05-2025

A Coronation Street star has revealed their "exciting" new job after leaving the ITV soap.
Colson Smith, who played PC Craig Tinker on the show, saw his character recently killed off after 14 years on our screens.
The actor, who made his debut back in 2011, announced he was leaving Corrie back in January.
Now, he has revealed his next job, and teased that he has more "exciting" things in the pipeline.
"I wouldn't be the person I am today without this show" Thank you for 14 great years of Tinks, Colson ❤️ @ITV #Corrie pic.twitter.com/IPVyI2n5P4
— Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) May 21, 2025
Taking to Instagram, Smith wrote: "Thank you so much for all the love this week! I really appreciate it!
"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 took to the comments to wish the Coronation Street star well.
One said: "Good luck with everything @colsonjsmith you will be missed in Corrie T cried so much at your scenes this week. They made a mistake letting you go."
Another added: "Yes Colson! You're going to go far in the presenting world, I can feel it. You've such a warmth and likability... Never change."
Smith announced he was leaving Corrie in January, saying: "I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.
"I've learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home."
The 26-year-old, who has played police officer Craig Tinker on the show for 14 years, saw his character die after being beaten with a baseball bat by Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton), after he tried to arrest him.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Smith said of his departure: 'It literally is just working at Coronation Street (that I'll miss the most) and calling that place my work.
'And it was weird, because when I got asked about highlights, I was trying to think of some of the things we've done, and I've done some mad things, I've met the (late) Queen, and I've done all this stuff, but it's the simple stuff.
'Like, on a summer's day at Corrie, we get an ice cream van, with all your mates and sit outside in the car park and the cast, the crew, the production team, the security staff, the cleaners, we're all so tight there, so sitting out in the summer having an ice cream with your mates, they're kind of the best days.
'It's that craic, that's the stuff that I won't get at any other job, and that's the stuff that I'll miss forever.'
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Smith was just 12 years old when he joined the soap and his memorable storylines have included him joining the police force and struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
He appeared for the last time in last Friday's episode as doctors pulled a sheet over his deceased character's body.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.