Coronation Street's most devastating deaths from brutal blow to fatal stabbing as Craig Tinker killed in tragic scenes

The Sun

26-05-2025

CORONATION Street is no stranger to killing off beloved characters in tragic circumstances.
The ITV soap does not shy away from giving fan favourites tragic exit storylines.
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Earlier this week, viewers watched as PC Craig Tinker (Colson Smith) passed away after being attacked by thug Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton).
It marked the end of actor Colson Smith 's 14-year tenure on the cobbles - which was first revealed earlier this year.
Taking to Instagram after the heartbreaking scenes aired, Colson shared a series of photos from filming his final scenes.
He penned: "My dump from my final block as Craig Tinker on Coronation Street.
"Thank you for having me."
Fans were left in tears as Craig's death played out as one penned on X: "Craig's cruel demise. RIP darl."
Another added: "Some scenes don't just move you, they stay with you. That was today."
A third commented: "What a sad ending even though I knew it was coming yes I did cry !
"Going to miss Craig RIP Pc Tinker and fantastic acting from @colsonsmith and @realsamia."
A fourth wrote: "We've literally watched Craig grow up on our screens, now we've just gotta say goodbye to him?? forever???? nah this is sick."
Coronation Street favourite left for dead in brutal attack after actor is axed from soap
Before Craig, there have been many other shocking deaths from over the years.
Listed below are among the most memorable - as well as gut-wrenching.
Kylie Platt
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Played by Paula Lane, viewers were heartbroken by Kylie Platt's tragic death in 2016.
The character - who was half-sister to Becky Granger (Katherine Kelly) and mother to Max Turner (Paddy Bever) - debuted in 2010.
Kylie died in dramatic fashion after being stabbed by thug Clayton Hibbs (Callum Harrison) - who had been assaulting her friend Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell).
Speaking ahead of the scenes airing, Paula said: "I'm not just saying this because I'm involved – but I don't think I've ever read an ending like it.
'The audience are going to get a real sense of shock and surprise – how a sudden death really is. They're going to feel those emotions."
Tina McIntyre
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Viewers were first introduced to Michelle Keegan 's feisty Tina McIntyre in 2008.
She was originally girlfriend to David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) but had further romances while on the cobbles.
Towards the end of her stint, Tina began an affair with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) - who was married to Carla Connor (Alison King).
But when she threatened to expose the truth, Carla's brother Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) ended up in a confrontation with her.
Fans watched Tina fall off balcony after she lost her footing - and vowed to Rob that she would tel the police he pushed her.
Left panicked, Rob resorted to murder by clobbering Tina over the head with a metal pipe.
Jack Duckworth
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As portrayed by Bill Tarmey, Corrie legend Jack Duckworth had a very poignant goodbye scene.
Jack appeared in the ITV soap from 1979 up until his final scenes on November 8, 2010.
That final episode saw Tyrone (Alan Halsall) organise Jack's 74th birthday party in The Rovers.
The soap legend quietly left - after waving goodbye to Ken Barlow (William Roache), who raised a glass to him.
Putting on the Matt Monro record Softly As I Leave You, Jack is reunited with late wife Vera's ghost as he passes on.
The two have an emotional dance together and share a kiss representing Jack's death.
Later that evening - Tyrone, his then-wife Molly (Vicky Binns) and Jack's companion Connie (Rita May) returned to find him dead in his arm chair.
Sinead Tinker
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In 2013, actress Katie McGlynn began portraying Sinead Tinker on the cobbles.
She notably had romances with Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).
The character was first diagnosed with cervical cancer back in 2018.
However, the disease later spread with Sinead told she had just months left to live.
Viewers were heartbroken by late 2019 when she ultimately lost her battle.
Surrounded by husband, auntie Beth, and son Bertie, Sinead battled side-effects and illness as she slowly accepted her fate.
She discussed the after life possibilities with vicar Billy as she admitted that she hopes she'll be able to look over Bertie once she has gone.
Rana Habeeb
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Rana Habeeb arrived in 2016, as a new love interest for Zeedan Nazir (Qasim Ahktar).
Played by Bhavna Limbachia, viewers also met Rana's own family - such as brother Imran (Charlie de Melo).
She later formed a relationship with friend Kate Connor (Faye Brookes) with the two becoming engaged.
However, a tragic turn of events saw Rana crushed in a factory collapse on her wedding day.
Rana insisted the pair got married after Imran helped Kate battle through the police to see her for one last time.
But viewers were devastated as the fan favourite passed away in Kate's arms.
Most devastating soap deaths
SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust.
Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years.
EASTENDERS
Barry Evans - Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying.
Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files.
Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'.
Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died.
He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape.
Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death.
CORONATION STREET
Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor.
When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her.
Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her.
In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe.
Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold).
Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death.
This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth.
As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments.
Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries.
Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character.
Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples.
Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair.
Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack.
Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease.
Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew.
The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would result in the character's death.
EMMERDALE
Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn.
He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze.
Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale.
Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash.
Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died.
HOLLYOAKS
Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car.
Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself.
Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel.
One fan wrote on X, then Twitter: "Kate being told that Rana won't get out...the scream @Faye_Brookes"