After 14 unforgettable years as Craig Tinker on Coronation Street, Colson Smith has officially stepped away from the cobbles — and the farewell was nothing short of emotional. But in a stunning twist, his co-stars sent him off in the most heartwarming and wild way imaginable… straight into the heart of Africa.

Following Craig’s tragic onscreen death earlier this year — a shock storyline in which the beloved officer was killed in the line of duty by paranoid Mick Michaelis — Colson’s real-life exit from the ITV soap marked the end of an era. Fans knew his time was nearing an end after the actor confirmed in January 2025 that he’d been told months prior that Craig’s arc would be closing.

“It’s just the end of the beginning,” Colson wrote back then, teasing “chapter 2” of his life. But few could’ve imagined what that next chapter would look like.

Cue: a running holiday in Kenya — complete with lions, leopards, elite athletes, and a personal safari.

As shared on the On the Sofa podcast with Corrie co-stars Jack P. Shepherd (David Platt) and Ben Price (Nick Tilsley), Colson opened up about his emotional final scenes and the incredible send-off he received behind the scenes. While tradition usually involves a round of applause and Champagne at Roy’s Rolls, Colson’s exit came with a twist tailored just for him.

A passionate runner who famously transformed his health during the 2020 lockdown, Colson was gifted a custom running medal with his Corrie stats — and the trip of a lifetime: a week at an elite running camp in Kenya, plus a three-day safari. His castmates knew him well… and went the extra mile.

Now, Colson’s finally embarked on that journey — and he’s taking fans with him. Over the weekend, he began sharing photos and videos from his Kenyan adventure, kicking off with a breathtaking safari on Day 1. His Instagram stories captured giraffes up close, sweeping landscapes, and majestic lions resting in tall grass.

“I have no words for today…” Colson wrote, stunned by the experience.

From police officer on the cobbles to running beside cheetahs and elite Kenyan athletes, Colson’s journey is the stuff of dreams — a poignant reminder of how soap stars don’t just exit storylines, they step into entirely new lives.

While Corrie fans are still grieving Craig’s shocking death, there’s comfort in knowing Colson is thriving, supported by a cast that clearly views him as family.