Former Coronation Street actor Colson Smith, who was recently axed from the long-running ITV soap, has revealed that he’s now eyeing a major new opportunity — this time with the BBC. Best known for his role as Craig Tinker, Colson gained further public attention after his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother last year. Since then, he’s been exploring new projects, and fans were intrigued to learn that he’s already auditioned for a significant role in an upcoming BBC series. While his final Corrie scenes are still set to air later this year, it seems Colson is wasting no time in moving forward with the next chapter of his career, hinting that big things could be on the horizon.

4

Axed Coronation Street star Colson Smith has revealed he’s auditioned for a major BBC seriesCredit: ITV

4

Colson has played the character Craig Tinker since he was 13 years oldCredit: ITV

4

Colson explained how he has auditioned for another policemanCredit: Getty
Speaking on On The Sofa, which he co-hosts with fellow Corrie actors, Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd, Colson explained he self taped for a new policeman role.

The new part would be in the crime dramedy Ludwig, which has been renewed for a second season.

But the new role is not too different from his Corrie character, policeman Craig Tinker.

Colson said: “I think it was too similar to Craig Tinker. I find it very, very difficult to play a copper.

“The casting brief – like, I basically did a brainstorm of everything that was on the casting brief – it was, like, cringey, likeable.

“I was going through it and it was grating.”

The soap star wasn’t sure if he would get the role but he enjoyed the experience.

“I did it and I’ve not heard anything back, so that’s the way it goes.

“But I think it was just nice to do my first tape and it was for a relatively big (production),” he said.

He added: “I knew I wasn’t going to get it sort of thing, because one, it was for a big show and two, a copper.

Coronation Street’s Colson Smith reveals new project after soap axe – as he opens up about final day on set

“But it was just a nice experience to get out and do it.”

Colson joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2011, when he was just 13-years-old.

Over the years, viewers have seen him at the centre of various hard-hitting storylines.

From being bullied as a schoolboy to becoming a policeman and battling OCD.

Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025

ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.

This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.

Colson Smith – Craig Tinker

The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.

Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw

After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.

Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe

Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.

Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster

In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.

Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley

The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.

Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe

The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.

But the 26-year-old was sadly axed when bosses decided to get rid of his character Craig Tinker.

Colson was one of a number of stars to have been given the boot over the past few months with co-stars Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) having also been written out by bosses.

Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) and Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) also opted to quit the programme following the high-profile exit of Helen Worth as Gail Platt after 50 years.

On the Sofa with Colson, Jack and Ben is a podcast based on the friendship the three stars formed on the famous cobbles.

4

The comedy drama Ludwig has been commissioned for a second series
Coronation Street airs on ITV and ITVX.