Coronation Street aired Craig Tinker’s emotional final scenes on Wednesday night (21 May), but why did show bosses decide to write him out after 14 years?

While the inner workings of Corrie‘s storytelling decisions are often kept as a mystery, actor Colson Smith has taken a refreshingly honest approach to keeping fans in the loop over his departure.

The news that Colson would be bowing out from the role of Craig was first announced in January this year.

Confirming it wasn’t his decision to go, Colson told fans: “Autumn last year, I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to [an] end in 2025.

“I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the GREATEST street in the world.”

He added: “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.”

Fortunately, there were no hard feelings and the easy-going star later opened up about Corrie‘s reasons for waving goodbye to Craig.

Show producer Kate Brooks explained the decision in a chat with Colson at the end of last year, indicating it was a storyline-led choice following the departure of key cast members connected to Craig.

This was no surprise to Colson, who knew exactly how the soap worked after so long there.

Speaking to Corrie colleagues Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price on the trio’s On The Sofa podcast earlier this year, Colson explained: “It was everything I already knew about how Craig as a character in this show had become very isolated.

“In the past three years, he’s gone through: his girlfriend’s left the show, his mum’s left the show. He doesn’t have any family. The rat’s dead.”

He continued: “[Kate] said, ‘You’re very understanding’. I said, ‘I’ve been here since I was a kid, I’ve seen it happen. I know that building, I know that show’.”

Colson added that he’d seen his departure coming as the usual time approached for contract renewal talks.

“Start of October I said to Ben and I said to my mum, ‘I just don’t feel confident this renewal’s coming this time round’,” he said.

On the bright side, actors often like to go out with a bang and Craig’s heartbreaking exit is one that fans won’t forget in a hurry.

Colson has spoken openly about how he’s pleased Craig was killed off, allowing him to fully move forward in his life and career without the possibility of a return.

After leaving, the popular star is looking to take on more acting and presenting work – you can read our brand new exit interview with him right here for all the gossip on what’s to come next.