Coronation Street star Colson Smith has explained that he will be missing out on one of his life goals due to the timing of his exit from the soap.

The Craig Tinker actor was confirmed to be departing the ITV show earlier this year, with his final scenes set to air in upcoming episodes.

He’s been playing the role since 2011, in storylines that have seen Craig battle OCD and join the police force. While 14 years is a very long time, he’s admitted that his exit is still too soon for him to be able to hit a personal milestone he wanted to achieve.

During an appearance on the On the Sofa podcast, co-hosted by his co-stars Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price, Colson said that he was told he did “less than a thousand” episodes in his time.

“That was my goal in life, to do 1,000,” he said. “I think I’m a bit off, I think I’m like 150 off. Quite a big ask.”

He said he’s got his leaving party booked and wants to have a “semi-police decor” and joked that he wants to get Sting to perform at it, as the singer’s dad was the milkman for one of his best friends.

When Colson announced his exit last month, he wrote that: “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 learnt 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 just the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. LONG LIVE THE COBBLES!”