CORONATION Street actor Colson Smith has been AXED from the ITV soap after 14 years.
The star plays the role of PC Craig Tinker on the show but will be waving goodbye to the cobbles for good later this year.
Colson confirmed that he was told he would be written out of the show after being told of the news in Autumn 2024.
The actor wrote on Instagram: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025.
“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.”
Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
He is the latest in a long-list of stars to leave the programme in recent months.
The Sun on Sunday revealed how Sue Cleaver had quit the show after 25 years as Eileen Grimshaw.
Sue and Colson’s departures follow the high-profile exit of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years.
As well as appearing on the Corrie cobbles, Colson took part in ITV reality show Celebrity Big Brother last year.
He reached the final of the programme – falling just shy of winning behind Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin and reality star David Potts.
Corrie is understood to have been hit by a cash crisis with a series of stars being axed in order to free up funds.
The Sun told how bosses have been unable to guarantee that anyone on the cast will be kept on beyond the end of the year.
It is understood to have sparked panic backstage at the ITV soap with many cast now wondering if they will be next.
CORONATION Street’s Gemma and Chesney Winter-Brown are hiding a HUGE monthly income – despite pleading poverty.
The couple – who have five kids between them – often find themselves struggling for money.
But a die-hard fan of the ITV show worked out what the couple really had in the bank, and it will surprise some viewers.
The viewer’s workings included:
Earnings:
Gemma income (20hrs/wk) £990
Chesney income (25hrs/wek) £1,185
Universal Credit (as a couple) £2,500
Child Benefit £405
Total: £5,080
Outgoings:
Rent £1,525
Council Tax (Band A) £130
Gas and electricity £320
Water £45
TV licence £15
Broadband and landline £25
TV packages £15
House contents insurance £10
Petrol for car £40
Parking, bus, tram, taxis £40
Car insurance £70
Road tax £20
Car maintenance £50
Medical, dental, opticians £80
School clubs, kids activities £120
Food £1,600
Clothes £200
Toiletries £180
Laundry + cleaning products £120
Incidental £50
Household goods/replacements £50
Total: £4,750
This means the couple would have almost £300 a month spare.
