CORONATION Street actor Colson Smith has spoken out after it was revealed that he had been axed from the soap amid its ongoing cash crisis.
It was revealed earlier this week that Colson’s character Craig Tinker would be the latest to be written out of the embattled soap.
Colson is one of a number of stars to have been given the boot over the past few days with co-stars Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) having also been written out by bosses.
Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) also opted to quit the programme following the high-profile exit of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years.
Now, Colson has had his say and confessed that he was summoned to a meeting with the top boss in October to be informed that he would be leaving the cobbles this year.
Speaking on his podcast, On The Sofa, which he co-hosts with fellow Corrie actors, Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd, Colson said he first suspected something was amiss when the boss’ PA asked him to attend a meeting at 7pm after filming.
Jack and Ben both waited outside in the corridor for Colson as he was delivered the ultimate blow.
Colson said: “The hardest bit was walking down the stairs knowing you two were there.
“I just stood in the doorway of the green room and just looked at you two.”
The trio then headed out for a Nando’s before Colson confessed to keeping the news under wraps due to it being Helen Worth’s final week and her leaving party.
Colson, who starred in Celebrity Big Brother last year, continued: “The thing I’m going to miss more than anything in the world isn’t Craig Tinker, it’s the green room.
“I have learned everything about life in that building.
“Every good day I’ve had in my life and every bad day I’ve had in my life, I’ve been in there.”
Craig’s on-screen departure comes less than a year after his mum Beth, played by Lisa George, also left Weatherfield.
Lisa appeared on the soap for 12 years before deciding to call it a day.
Details of Craig’s exit are being kept under wraps for now with Corrie fans already guessing about how their favourite stars will leave the show in the coming months.
In an emotional statement to address his exit earlier this week, Colson said: “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.”
