Coronation Street star Colson Smith left his role as Craig Tinker in the ITV soap earlier this year, with his exit set to air in the coming weeks.

In January, the actor took to social media to announce his departure, expressing his gratitude for the job, which he started at just 11 years old.

He revealed that he’d found out last autumn that his time on the cobbles was set to come to an end, with later reports confirming that the character is set to be killed off in dramatic scenes.

Colson, who has played Craig for 14 years, is currently on the hunt for his next role, and he opened up about the experience to his On The Sofa podcast co-hosts Ben Price and Jack P Shepherd.

He revealed that he filmed a self-tape for a role in BBC series Ludwig, which stars comedy legends David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin.

However, with the role being a police officer, Colson had his doubts.

‘I think it was too similar to Craig Tinker. I find it very, very difficult to play a copper,’ he said.

That wasn’t the only problem, he confessed, adding: ‘I did a brainstorm of everything that was on the casting brief. It was cringey, likeable. I was going through it and it was grating.’

Despite his reservations, he went on to explain that he was grateful for the opportunity to be seen for a big production.

‘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].

‘I knew I wasn’t going to get it, because one, it was for a big show and two, a copper, but it was just a nice experience to get out and do it.’

Since leaving Corrie, Colson has already turned his hand to a totally different skill, after delivering baby lambs on a farm.