When a cast member departs Coronation Street, there‘s more than a farewell — a subtle, unwritten WhatsApp convention. And recently, Colson Smith, who has portrayed Craig Tinker for over a decade, found himself adhering to the letter, as did one much-loved veteran, who failed to receive the memo.
One Final Party… and a Subtle Departure
In a conversation on the On the Sofa podcast — presented by Smith and co-stars Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price — feelings were running high as they looked back on Smith‘s decision to leave the soap. While his on-screen character Craig is still nominally on screen, Smith has already finished filming and even held a tearful leaving party in Manchester.
Regarding his exit, Smith was philosophical about how the imagined street impacted his life. He explained that it was home to his best and worst days, and although it was only a street in conception, leaving it behind was equivalent to shutting the door on an enormous part of his life. However, it was not only the party or the final day on location that indicated the end; there was also the issue of the WhatsApp group.
Coronation Street: The WhatsApp Rule – And a Legend Who Ignored It
Smith revealed he had no hesitation in exiting the show‘s group chat, something he suggested was standard procedure for cast members who leave. He said he came home the day after leaving and instantly felt it was time to step away. He messaged the group before he left, thanking everyone who attended and referring to the party as a perfect ending to his Corrie days.
Jack P. Shepherd jumped in to explain that this isn’t something individuals do on their own accord—it’s an unwritten rule that’s been silently followed. The directive, he said, didn’t come from within the cast but from above—“the grown-ups upstairs,” as he described them. When a person’s time on the show is up, they‘re supposed to leave the group.
Nevertheless, not everyone has followed this rule. Shepherd has let slip that several recognisable faces never actually departed from the show, even though they no longer form part of the cast. They include Helen Worth—a.k.a. Gail Rodwell and Shepherd and Price‘s on-screen mum. He revealed that nobody has the heart to tell her to go, and he thinks he might not even know she‘s still in the group.
He confessed that the entire thing quietly entertains him. We can’t help but agree with Jack here. For more behind-the-scenes updates about Coronation Street, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily!
