CORONATION Street fans have been left outraged by plans to kill off a beloved character – and vowed to stop watching.
Actor Colson Smith, 26, is leaving the soap after 14 years playing Craig Tinker after bosses decided to axe the character.
The Sun revealed yesterday that Craig is to be killed off in a dramatic storyline this summer.
Writing online, viewers shared their anger and disappointment over the police officer’s impending demise.
One penned: “Why? Just why? I’m so done with Corrie. Misery, misery, misery.”
Another remarked: “For goodness sakes. Is there anyone not being killed off on Corrie right now?”
A third commented: “You can’t be telling me we’ve got yet more misery in store?
“Can there just be one episode with a bit of light-heartedness or happiness? Is that really too much to ask for?”
While a fourth said: “Why? Couldn’t they just have had him transfer to be closer to Beth?”
Craig first arrived on the cobbles in 2011, alongside mum Beth (Lisa George).
Throughout his time in Weatherfield, he’s had relationships with Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) and Bethany (Platt Lucy Fallon).
A source said: “Craig has grown up on the street and he’s become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Outraged Coronation Street fans ‘shouting at TV’ after ‘insulting’ Craig Tinker blunder” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6359672522112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.
“Colson is taking it well and there’s a real feeling that this chapter is closing for him and there are bigger and brighter things ahead.
“He’ll film his final scenes later this month and then he’ll say goodbye to Craig once and for all.”
Meanwhile, actor Colson revealed his departure in an emotional statement earlier this year.
He penned: “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. For me, this is the end of the beginning.
“I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.”
Colson opened up about Craig’s cobbles exit on his podcast On the Sofa.
He revealed how co-stars and co-hosts Jack P. Shepherd and Ben Price waited for him while he was meeting with producer Kate Brooks.
The star added: “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.”
“The thing I’m going to miss more than anything in the world isn’t Craig Tinker, it’s the green room.
“I have learned everything about life in that building.”
Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and ITVX.
