Axed Coronation Street star hints his character HASN'T been killed off and could make shock return to soap

The Sun

20-05-2025

AXED Coronation Street star has dropped a major hint that his character is not dead in a shock twist.
Corrie's PC Craig Tinker might not be out for the count just yet - actor Colson Smith has teased his character could survive the brutal attack that left him motionless.
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Fans of the ITV soap were left shocked as the beloved character was brutally attacked and left for dead in Monday's episode.
The much-loved Weatherfield resident was caught in a violent showdown, which left their life hanging in the balance.
Viewers saw Mick Michaelis go on a furious rampage after finding out that 16-year-old Brody might not be his biological son.
Mick turned violent as he demanded answers from wife Lou Michaelis about her past with their former pal, Kit Green.
Viewers got an upsetting insight into Lou's domestic abuse from Mick - which left the residents on the cobbles worried for Lou's safety.
Meanwhile, Craig was determined to prove himself on the first day of his CID training.
He pulled over Mick at the Weatherfield Precinct for drink-driving.
Hellbent on getting revenge on Kit, Mick violently attacked Craig with a bat and left him for dead.
However, the actor has hinted that his character Craig could be very much still be alive.
Taking to X - formerly Twitter - Colson wrote: "He's just sleeping…" after the episode aired last night.
One fan replied: "You better just be sleeping!! I'm gonna have a mega tantrum if you don't come back from this!!"
Another added: "If this is how you leave it's unacceptable, national tragedy #Corrie #coronationstreet"
A third joked: "Lazy bugger, sleeping on the job!!"
Wednesday's episode of Corrie will see Craig rushed to hospital and desperately try to make his police colleagues aware of who was responsible for attacking him.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith - Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig's on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver - Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I'm A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she's already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan - Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney - Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan - Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she's hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King - Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
Colson said: "I can't wait for people to see Craig's final scenes. It is exactly the exit I wanted for him and we are all really proud of what we filmed in those final weeks.
"It was actually great fun. I was walking around covered in fake blood for days and I was chuffed that I got to work with so many brilliant people in this final storyline."
Back in March, The Sun revealed how Colson's character Craig would be killed off in a dramatic storyline.
A source told us: "Craig has grown up on the street and he's become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it.
"PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won't be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.
"Colson is taking it well and there's a real feeling that this chapter is closing for him and there are bigger and brighter things ahead."
The 26-year-old actor was one of several stars who have been axed from the ITV soap.
Corrie is gearing up for a number of exits for some iconic characters this summer, including Eileen Grimhshaw is set to exit the cobbles with actress Sue Cleaver quitting the soap after an incredible 25 years.
The soap has already seen several characters depart the cobbles from the likes of Daisy Midgeley to Mason Radcliffe.
ITV is facing a financial crisis due to soaring production costs, a decline in advertising revenue, and a drop in viewing figures, leading to budget cuts and cast departures.
Consequently, the broadcaster is reducing the length of both Coronation Street and Emmerdale episodes from hour-long to 30-minute installments, starting in January 2026.
This change will create a "soaps power hour" where Emmerdale airs at 8pm, followed by Coronation Street at 8:30pm each weeknight.
But with ratings falling and viewers switching to streamers like Netflix, more soap stars are fearing the axe - should they be worried?
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.
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