Having left Coronation Street after 14 years of playing Craig Tinker, Colson Smith is no longer on the cobbles—but he isn‘t jumping into something heavy just yet. Though he officially departed the ITV soap weeks back, the actor recently spoke out on Good Morning Britain about how the experience left him feeling nostalgic and excited.
Coronation Street: An Emotional Farewell
Though Colson didn’t give away too many details about what’s next, he admitted that being away from the show feels surreal. “I’ve been gone three weeks now, and I’ll always feel emotional,” he said. He added that the Street wasn’t just a workplace to him—it was home. Over the years, the cast and crew had become like a family, helping him grow up on and off screen.
Colson also shared that viewers can expect to see his final scenes air around May, marking the end of an era for both him and long-time fans of the character. “It’s very different having done something for 14 years to know now that you’re not doing it anymore,” he reflected, but he didn’t dwell on the sadness for too long. “I’m excited to go out and have some fun. It’s like a new chapter of my life beginning.
Tears, Milestones, and a Heartfelt Send-Off
When he initially made public his plans to depart in January, Colson called the moment “the end of the beginning” and teased big things to come in “chapter two.”That sense of change was particularly evident in his last few days on the set.
On his podcast Off the Sofa, Colson remembered that shooting his final scenes was hard on all concerned. He mentioned how his exit speech didn‘t feel sufficient to convey what he really needed to say. “‘Thank you‘ doesn‘t even come close. It doesn‘t come anywhere near what I had to say,” he admitted.
Co-star Jack P. Shepherd complimented Colson’s spontaneous goodbye speech, saying it was “very well put together” for being off the cuff. Jack pointed out how Colson’s message hit on all the significant milestones he’d accumulated working on the show. From purchasing his first home and learning to drive to working through his first relationship, the show was there.
For Colson, that moment wasn’t just about closing a professional chapter. He said it felt like the perfect way to wrap up his life. While the next step remains unknown to fans, we will keep you posted regarding where life takes him next! Keep following Soap Opera Daily for more such Coronation Street spoilers & updates!