“After nearly 14 years on the cobbles and PC Craig Tinker’s heartbreaking demise, Colson Smith has made a much-welcomed return to the small screen! Find out what the beloved actor is up to now that he’s left Weatherfield, and the memories he’ll cherish forever.”

Tears flowed across Weatherfield just a few short weeks ago as actor Colson Smith made his emotional exit from the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street in truly tragic scenes. His character, PC Craig Tinker, was shockingly killed in the line of duty, marking the end of Colson’s nearly 14-year stint on the iconic cobbles.

As devastated Corrie viewers witnessed, keen police officer Craig was meant to be on placement with CID but was given the cold shoulder by his mentor, DC Kit Green. Kit’s distracted, and rather cruel, behaviour led Craig to seek advice from DS Lisa Swain, who encouraged Craig to prove Kit wrong and to let her know if he had any more issues with the detective constable.

However, Craig’s decision to put back on his uniform later went tragically against him. After being called to a domestic disturbance at Lou and Mick Michaelis’ home, he pursued Mick, suspecting him of being a drunk driver. Mick soon became convinced that Craig was in corrupt Kit’s pocket and knocked the breathalyser out of the officer’s hand. Craig once again sprang into action, determined to arrest Mick.

But as Mick headed to his van and pulled out a baseball bat, Craig bravely tried to talk him down. Mick brutally used the bat to attack him, then ordered him to get up. When Craig didn’t move, Mick callously took his bodycam and fled the scene, leaving a motionless Craig bleeding on the ground.

It was Maria Windass who later discovered Craig, left for dead. Despite seemingly making improvements in the hospital, he tragically suffered a cardiac arrest and died, leaving his friends and colleagues utterly devastated.

Speaking after his poignant exit, Colson revealed that he had wanted his beloved character to be killed off, but admitted he’ll miss being a part of the show “forever.”

Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, the 26-year-old actor reflected on his departure: “It literally is just working at Coronation Street (that I’ll miss the most) and calling that place my work. And it was weird, because when I got asked about highlights, I was trying to think of some of the things we’ve done, and I’ve done some mad things, I’ve met the (late) Queen, and I’ve done all this stuff, but it’s the simple stuff.”

He continued, sharing a glimpse into the camaraderie behind the scenes: “Like, on a summer’s day at Corrie, we get an ice cream van, with all your mates and sit outside in the car park and the cast, the crew, the production team, the security staff, the cleaners, we’re all so tight there, so sitting out in the summer having an ice cream with your mates, they’re kind of the best days. It’s that craic, that’s the stuff that I won’t get at any other job, and that’s the stuff that I’ll miss forever.”

But now, just weeks after his heartbreaking exit from the cobbles, Colson has made a triumphant return to screens, this time in a brand new presenting role! The former soap star was seen during Thursday’s (June 5) edition of the popular daytime show This Morning, reporting live from Cheshire.

Colson was on hand to catch up with fellow TV personality Sam Thompson amidst his mammoth charity challenge. Thompson’s “Match Ball Mission” sees him running and cycling an incredible 260 miles in order to deliver the match ball for Soccer Aid 2025, which takes place on Sunday, June 15. All money raised from this incredible feat will go to Unicef.