Corrie's Colson Smith admits being 'very aware' as he confirms exit air date (2025)

The Craig Tinker actor is 'very aware' of what he may not find after leaving Corrie as he looks to new projects after his exit

Coronation Street star Colson Smith has admitted he's 'very aware' he may not find the bond he had with his castmates on the soap in new projects after his exit.

It's no secret that the actor has filmed his final scenes for the ITV soap after 13 years playing the role of Craig Tinker. It was at the start of the year that Colson revealed his beloved character would be written out of the long-running show in 2025.

In a statement, shared to X and Instagram 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!"

His exit then officially took place on March 21, leaving him 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 2024 star simply wrote: "CORONATION STREET I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU," alongside an orange heart emoji.

Colson later revealed that his last day saw him filming his final scenes in the iconic Roy's Rolls. He previously said how it was a five-page two-hander between himself and David Neilson, who is famed for playing Weatherfield stalwart Roy Cropper.

Now, he's given a more emotional insight into his exit. Speaking with Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price, who play brothers David Platt and Nick Tilsley in Corrie, on their podcast, On the Sofa, Colson said he experience the "perfect" end to his time on the show.

He added: "Friday, and saying goodbye, and then Friday night, and just celebrating everything that I've achieved in that 14 years... Corrie has been perfect, it has been the perfect first chapter. And the way it ended, the storyline, when you get to see it in May."

Ben also spoke about how other jobs, in terms of making bonds with co-stars, may not compare to Corrie, which Colson admitted to being aware of. He said: "And I know that I won't, and I'm very very aware of that, that nothing will ever [come close], Corrie is irreplaceable for me. Nothing will come close to the way that I feel when I'm in that building, or the way I felt when I'm in that building."