Coronation Street is bracing for one of its most heart-wrenching episodes to date as long-time fan-favorite Craig Tinker appears to meet a tragic end. After over a decade of growth and development on the cobbles, Craig’s journey may be coming to an unforgettable and emotional close—and viewers will want to brace themselves for a shocking and tearful farewell.

Craig Tinker, portrayed by actor Colson Smith since 2011, has been a familiar and beloved face in Weatherfield. Starting out as the shy son of Beth Tinker, viewers have witnessed Craig mature into a responsible and principled police officer. Over the years, he’s been at the center of numerous storylines, each one shaping his transformation from a troubled teen to a committed officer. But this week, the character’s fate takes a drastic and possibly fatal turn.

Monday’s episode plunged audiences into a gripping and horrifying sequence: Craig, while on duty, was brutally attacked and left unconscious after being struck on the head with a baseball bat. The incident left him motionless in a dark corner of the precinct, sparking fear that this might be his final chapter.

With mounting speculation, fans have been asking: Is Colson Smith really leaving Coronation Street? The answer, sadly, is yes.

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram back in January, Colson officially announced his departure from the ITV soap. He revealed that he had been informed last autumn that 2025 would mark the end of his journey as Craig. Reflecting on his 14-year tenure, Colson expressed deep gratitude for the experience, calling the Street “the greatest street in the world” and emphasizing how formative the show has been in his life. “For me, this is the end of the beginning,” he wrote, expressing excitement for the next chapter of his career.

In tonight’s dramatic episode, Craig’s condition worsens as he tries to relay key information to colleague Jess. Doctors rush to save him with CPR, but tragically, Craig doesn’t respond. In a devastating moment, he is pronounced dead. The emotional aftermath leaves his family and friends shattered. The filming of these final scenes reportedly took place in March, and Colson shared that receiving his last scripts was deeply emotional and overwhelming. Castmates, both current and past, flooded his social media with love and support after he completed filming.

While Craig’s exit is undoubtedly a major blow, Coronation Street is not slowing down when it comes to intense plotlines. As fans come to terms with the loss of Craig, another storm brews with Peter Barlow. Longstanding speculation that actor Chris Gascoyne is preparing to leave the soap once again has added fuel to new spoilers suggesting Peter may find himself entangled in a murder mystery.

In a twist of fate, Peter could soon become a suspect in the death of Rufus, a business associate who was actually murdered by serial killer Stephen Reid. New developments next week show Rufus’s wife, Lou, pushing police to revisit the case. She flags a missing item—Rufus’s watch—which Peter shockingly confesses to Carla that he found in his cab and pawned to help fund her rehab. If this detail becomes public, it could implicate Peter in Rufus’s murder, possibly framing him in Stephen’s place.

This storyline could act as the exit vehicle for Peter, particularly since there’s no official word on when, or if, Chris Gascoyne will return. While his departure hasn’t been confirmed by ITV, it’s widely rumored that the actor is taking a step back for other professional pursuits. Should Peter be arrested or forced to flee Weatherfield, it would explain his sudden absence from the cobbles.

Meanwhile, another major piece of Weatherfield history faces an uncertain future. The iconic Rovers Return Inn is at risk of being lost forever. Financial struggles have placed the beloved pub on the brink of demolition, with Jenny Connor scrambling to find a buyer to save it. Her attempts to woo the brewery backfire when they express no interest in purchasing the venue.

However, the winds of change may be blowing. Later in the week, spoilers hint that a new potential buyer might step in—possibly a familiar face eager to preserve the Rovers’ legacy. As negotiations take place and interest sparks from an unexpected resident, viewers will be left guessing who might become the next landlord or landlady of the Rovers Return. By the end of the week, this new chapter for the pub might be revealed, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the surrounding darkness.

With Craig’s likely death, Peter’s looming exit, and the uncertain fate of one of the show’s most iconic landmarks, Coronation Street is entering a phase of powerful transformation. Long-time fans will undoubtedly feel the emotional weight of saying goodbye to cherished characters and familiar places, but the show is staying true to its legacy—delivering gripping drama, poignant goodbyes, and the promise of new beginnings.

As Colson Smith’s final scenes air tonight, viewers can expect a moving tribute to one of the Street’s most loyal figures. Craig Tinker’s journey from awkward teen to honorable officer is one that has touched many hearts, and his exit is sure to leave a lasting impression. One thing’s for certain: Coronation Street will never be the same again.