It’s no secret that actor Colson Smith is bowing out of the ITV soap after nearly 14 years in the role of Craig Tinker

Colson Smith playing Craig Tinker in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)

Coronation Street star Colson Smith had a cheeky question for fans as he prepares for his final scenes in the long-running show to air.

It’s no secret that the actor is bowing out of the ITV soap after nearly 14 years in the role of Craig Tinker. He joined as the young son of Beth Tinker (Lisa George) back in 2011.

But it was in January of this year that Colson confirmed that he would be leaving Weatherfield behind, months after he was told that his character had reached the end of the road.

Announcing the news on social media, alongside a picture of himself portraying Craig as a police officer, Colson said at the time: “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.”

The 26-year-old added: “For me, this is just the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. LONG LIVE THE COBBLES!”

Colson’s exit then officially took place on Friday (March 21) and with Corrie filming anywhere from six to ten weeks in advance, it left Colson falling short of marking 14 years in the role of Craig this summer.

Following his last day on the Street, Colson took to Instagram with a snap in which he could be sitting above the Rovers Return sign. Alongside the post, the Celebrity Big Brother star said: “CORONATION STREET I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU.”

His on-screen exit, meanwhile, takes place this week in a special week of episodes following the stories of both Craig and his policing superior, DC Kit Green.

Viewers will uncover the secrets surrounding Mick Michaelis’ hold on Kit following last week’s flashback, as his past comes back to haunt him, leaving both his friends and family in grave danger.

And while a series of climactic events unfold on the street, culminating in a shocking and horrific incident, we’ll see Craig’s life hanging in the balance as he fights for every breath. As history catches up with him, will Kit’s future be destined to haunt him forever as well as his past?

(Image: Colson Smith Instagram)

Ahead of Corrie’s first episode of the week on Monday (May 19), Colson took to Instagram with a behind-the-scenes snap, in which he could be seen sporting Craig’s police uniform while holding a baton and laying back on a crash mat.

Alongside the post, he wrote: “Morning [waving emoji]. Owt good on TV this week? @coronationstreet 8PM.”

What we know is that during the first episode of Corrie this week, Craig becomes the victim of a horrifying attack, after he excitedly started his placement with CID, shadowing Kit, while also making plans for an internet date that evening.

Ahead of his final scenes, Colson expressed his excitement, saying: “I can’t wait for people to see Craig’s final scenes.” He added: “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.”