CORONATION Street is killing off a beloved character after the actor was axed by the soap.
Actor Colson Smith is leaving the show after 14 years playing Craig Tinker after bosses decided to axe the character.
And now The Sun can reveal that Craig will be killed off in a dramatic storyline this summer.
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.
“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.”
In an emotional statement to address his exit earlier this year, Colson said: “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.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Coronation Street star Colson Smith’s podcast future with co-stars revealed after he’s axed from soap” 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=”6366810914112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.”
The star later opened up on his podcast about how he was supported by co-stars Jack P. Shepherd and Ben Price who waited for him while he was meeting with producer Kate Brooks.
Colson said: “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,” he added.
“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.”
A Coronation Street spokeswoman has been contacted for comment.