Craig Tinker’s final scenes aired tonight… and fans are heartbroken.
In a shocking turn of events on Coronation Street, beloved actor Colson Smith has spoken out for the first time about the emotional goodbye to his character PC Craig Tinker, following tonight’s dramatic and tragic scenes.
On Wednesday, May 21, Craig’s life came to a devastating end after suffering severe brain swelling, sending shockwaves through Weatherfield and leaving viewers stunned.
After 14 years of playing the role, Colson opened up about how he really felt upon learning that his character would be killed off, and what those last days on the set meant to him.
🔴 Craig Tinker’s final moments: A hero’s end
It all began on Monday, May 19, when Craig was determined to prove himself to Kit Green. While patrolling the streets, he attempted to stop Mick Michaelis for drunk driving. But when Craig mentioned the word “kit”, things took a violent turn—Mick flew into a rage, believing Kit was targeting him.
Craig tried to reason with him, but Mick wasn’t having it. Grabbing a bat, Mick struck Craig on the head, leaving him unconscious on the ground. He then fled the scene.
Later, Maria Connor found Craig and quickly called for help. Though he briefly regained consciousness in hospital and tried to name his attacker, the swelling in his brain worsened—and tragically, Craig passed away before he could reveal the truth.
🟡 Colson Smith on getting the call: “I knew my time was up”
Speaking to Entertainment Daily! and other media outlets, Colson recalled the moment he was told his time on Corrie was over:
“When I had the chat with Kate [Brooks], I’d already braced myself for what was coming. I’ve been in that building since I was 12—I know how it works. I knew Craig had backed himself into a corner and there was no getting out of it.”
The actor also said he wanted a proper ending—a death that felt conclusive:
“I wanted to die. I wanted that door to close, to know in my mind that Corrie had run its course for Craig. Him dying in the line of duty as a copper—it was perfect. It felt like a hero’s death.”
And for fans wondering if he’ll ever return in a flashback or ghost scene? Don’t count on it.
“The day I leave is the day I leave,” Colson stated firmly.
🔵 His last days on set: “They were perfect”
Colson also reflected on his final block of filming.
“It was pretty mint, to be fair. The final weeks were perfect. It was the nicest way to go out.”
His final scene wasn’t the hospital moment viewers saw onscreen. Instead, it was filmed in Roy’s Rolls, a detail Colson said made it even more emotional.
He described how he said his private goodbyes to the iconic set that had become his second home:
“I just sat outside the Rovers, probably for about an hour. I soaked it all in. It was my way of saying goodbye and thank you to Corrie.”
As a token of gratitude, Colson gave his co-stars a small parting gift—a Lego Craig Tinker, and he took home his police hat as a memento of his long-standing role.
⚠️ Viewers react: “A huge mistake to let Craig and Debbie go!”
The exit of Craig—and the recently confirmed departure of Debbie—has sparked backlash online, with many fans slamming the decision.
“It’s a huge mistake!” one viewer wrote. “They were two of the best characters left. Getting rid of them both is just ridiculous.”
Another added, “Corrie is losing its soul.”
Whether you loved him or not, Colson Smith’s portrayal of Craig Tinker left a lasting impact—and his powerful goodbye is one fans won’t forget anytime soon.
📌 Source: Entertainment Daily
