Coronation Street’s Colson Smith shares “emotional” update after leaving soap

Coronation Street star Colson Smith has shared an “emotional” update after leaving the soap as Craig Tinker.

The actor confirmed earlier this year that he would be departing the cobbles after 14 years in the role, with the star recently filming his final scenes.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Colson confirmed his exit will air around May, adding that he was “excited” to start a new chapter in his life.

“I’ve been gone three weeks now, I’ll always feel emotional,” he said. “I will always miss the place. It was my home. It was my family. Those people, they helped me grow up.

“It’s very different having done something for 14 years to now know that you’re not doing it anymore, and I’m excited to go out and have some fun. I’m excited, it feels like a new chapter of my life starting.”

coronation street's colson smith on good morning britain

ITV

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Upon announcing his departure in January, Colson said it was “the end of the beginning” for him, and that he couldn’t “wait to see what chapter 2 has in store”.

Last month, the actor opened up about filming his last scenes, sharing that there were “plenty of tears” as he said farewell while further recalling his goodbye speech.

“Thank you doesn’t even cover it. It doesn’t come close to what I needed to say,” he said on his Off the Sofa podcast.

Fellow star Jack P Shepherd said it was a “very well put together off the cuff speech” and that he “covered everything”.

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“You touched on you having your first experiences at work,” he added. “From getting your first house, to having your first girlfriend, passing your driving test, all those big sort of milestones you’ve done while at work.

“People started to cry, and you said ‘thanks it’s been amazing, best job I’ve ever had – only job I’ve ever had’.”

Colson added that it was the “perfect way” for him to close the book on “the perfect first chapter”.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.