Coronation Street stars let loose at boozy bash as Colson Smith bids farewell to soap
Craig Tinker actor Colson Smith has said goodbye to ITV soap Coronation Street after 14 years on the cobbles as his co-stars came together to party the night away
Actor Colson Smith was joined by his co-stars(Image: Instagram/andywhy36)
The cast of Coronation Street let their hair down as they celebrated Colson Smith’s leaving do. They came together to party the night away as they bid farewell to the Craig Tinker actor after 14 years on the soap.
Back in January, it was revealed Colson had been axed from the long running ITV soap and that he would be leaving the cobbles. He has now been given a fitting send off from his co-stars, who threw a police themed party. They headed to a bar together as Colson was joined by his closest work pals.
Actress Brooke Vincent, who played Sophie Webster, rejoined her former co-stars as she gave Colson a send off. She posed with a police car helium balloon and wrapped her arm around the actor. Following the wild night out, Brooke shared: “A million memories together my work little/ big brother, I adore you, I am so excited for your next adventure.
Brooke returned for the celebrations(Image: Instagram/brookelevivincent)
“A true friend and loved by everybody, last night shown that. See you soon my friend! ”tell me a joke mum” … “you’re my biggest joke Colson”.” Corrie star Channique Sterling-Brown also gave a peek inside the bash as she partied the night away. She kicked off the evening with espresso martinis alongside Lucy Fallon.
Channique teased: “First drink hehe x.” She later shared a snap sat with Colson and wrote: “Man of the moment,” while holding up a peace sign. Actor Andy Whyment was also there for the party and shared a touching post the following morning.
He said: “Last night we had @colsonjsmith Coronation Street leaving party. I’ve seen a lot of people leave the show over the 24 years I’ve been there but I can honestly say this one has hit me so hard, I’ve watched you grow from the chubby ginger kid with Daryl the rat when you were 12 years of age to the caring loving man you are today, I know we won’t be working together anymore but I’ll always be here as a friend.
The Corrie cast let their hair down for the party(Image: Instagram/channiquesb)
“Go out there and smash it as I know you will, but I as will millions of people miss PC Craig Tinker x.” Colson, who hosts a podcast with his fellow Coronation Street actors Jack P. Shepherd and Ben Price, who play David Platt and Nick Tilsley on the cobbles, addressed his exit on their show.
He said revealed he kept the news a secret since October. Colson said he ‘had a feeling’ it was the end of his time on Corrie and his inkling was further confirmed when he got a message from the boss’ personal assistant asking for a meeting at 7pm. He thanked Jack and Ben for being there for him while he was in the meeting.
Lucy Fallon bid farewell to the actor(Image: Instagram/lucyfallonx)
They ‘kept looking at the door’ and ‘paced’ up and down the room as they waited for the news. Speaking to Jack and Ben, he said of the meeting: “The hardest bit was walking down the stairs knowing you two were there. I just stood in the doorway of the green room and just looked at you two.”
After Jack gave Colson a hug, the latter quickly asked if the three could go to Nando’s. Colson said he kept the news on the down low as it was Helen Worth’s leaving party the next day.
“The thing I’m going to miss more than anything in the world isn’t Craig Tinker, it’s the green room,” he said. “I have learned everything about life in that building. Every good day I’ve had in my life and every bad day I’ve had in my life, I’ve been in there.” Devastated fans learned that Colson was axed from the show, with him taking to social media to share a heartwarming statement.
The drinks were flowing at the leaving do(Image: Instagram/channiquesb)
Sharing a snap of himself in character as Craig posing in front of the Rovers Return, Colson told his 207,000 Instagram followers: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinkers 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.”
The actor, who joined the soap at just 11 years old, continued: “I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street. I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for Our Craigy. 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!”
