Colson Smith has revealed the emotional moment he learned he was being ‘binned’ from Coronation Street – including a nightmare eight-word warning from his ITV boss. 

The actor, 26 – who is best known for playing PC Craig Tinker in the soap – appeared on ITV’s This Morning to talk about his departure from the beloved programme. 

Craig Tinker’s final scenes on the Cobbles aired last night (Wednesday 21 May), and fans fumed that Colson was ‘done dirty’ after he died following on from being murdered by Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) with a bat. 

The soap star took to the iconic sofa to chat to hosts Ben Shephard, 50, and Cat Deeley, 48, about the episode, as well as his lead up to leaving Weatherfield. 

Recalling the moment he was told that he no longer had a job on Coronation Street, Colson said: ‘I’ve been in that building since I was 12. I know how it works. It’s like any work place, you pick up on vibes, you pick up on things.. 

‘I knew, I had a meeting at 7pm one night after work. 

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Colson Smith reveals the emotional moment he learned he was being ‘binned’ from Coronation Street – including a nightmare eight-word warning from ITV boss

The actor, 26 – who is best known for playing PC Craig Tinker in the soap – appeared on ITV’s This Morning to talk to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard (pictured) about his departure from the beloved programme

Craig Tinker’s final scenes on the Cobbles aired last night (Wednesday 21 May), and fans fumed that Colson was ‘done dirty’ after he died following on from being murdered by Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) with a bat.

‘I was in the Rovers all day, I was sat there kind of not saying anything, but my brain was like “I know what’s coming tonight!”. 

‘I told Jack and Ben, my two best mates at work, tonight’s the night, I’m getting binned, that’s what we call it.

‘I was like tonight’s the night, will you be there for me. 

‘They were there and I went up to boss, she looked at me and went “This isn’t going to be an easy conversation.”

‘I was like “Well let’s go and have it. Let’s get it out the way.”‘

Cat was keen to find out what the cast reaction was to the news, to which he explained: ‘That was the toughest I think thing for me. I found out on the night and went in next day, it was Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt’s last day.

‘I’d gone in and I’m like “I’m about to ruin Helen’s last day.

‘”I cant do this!”

Read More Colson Smith flooded with support as he reveals surprising new job after Coronation Street exit

‘But then, do I keep a secret. but by the time I had got into work, everyone knew, it was like Colson had died.

‘I walked into the greenroom and awkwardly laughed and Lucy Fallon was heavily pregnant at the time, she burst in tears, Julia Gording was crying all day. 

‘I felt for Jack and Ben – they were losing their mum and found out that their mate was going. It was a roller coaster of emotions, it had been the whole way through. 

‘And the last day, Andy Whyment was just crying, he couldnt even park his car straight in the morning.’

When asked what he wants to do next, Colson told the hosts: ‘It’s very bizarre leaving something you’ve done so long. 

‘Who is Colson? What does he want to do? Enjoying sitting in garden. I love telly. 

‘This is my home. Spend more time in telly. More stuff as Colson, see what happens.

‘I’ll be happy with whatever. more podcasting, more presenting, audio stuff. That’s the stuff I love.’ 

Fans were left truly heartbroken watching Colson’s alter-ego Craig die on their screes. 

Viewers flocked to social media to share their sadness over his death, with many complaining that ‘he deserved a happy ending!’

One wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Nah Coronation Street did Craigy dirty there, we do not want more deaths he deserved a happy ending.’

‘NOT OUR CRAIGY!!! Justice for Craig.’

‘Not our Craigy. I was hoping they’d let Craig leave happy on transfer to a different district to go further up his career ladder but man #corrie that was brutal.’

‘Sad to see the end of Craig Tinker on @itvcorrie. I wish they could have left the door open for the always sunny character. I found a few drawing I did of him from years back.’

Many rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their heartbreak over the devastating scenes that aired on Wednesday evening 

‘RIP CRAIG . Also known as PC Tinker. The best police officer that the street has ever known.’

‘Not Craig #Corrie.’

‘Absolutely hate that we lost Craig that way – if anyone deserved a happy ending, it was Tinker.’ 

Speaking about what viewers ahead of the scenes, Colson said: ‘I can’t wait for people to see Craig’s final scenes.

‘It is exactly the exit I wanted for him and we are all really proud of what we filmed in those final weeks. It was actually great fun.

‘I was walking around covered in fake blood for days and I was chuffed that I got to work with so many brilliant people in this final storyline.’

Since November last year, it was revealed a number of stars were leaving, including Colson.

And back in January the star revealed to MailOnline that he was told in Autumn 2024 that he would be written out of the soap. 

At the time an inside source also explained that Colson is excited for the next chapter of his career and said viewers should look forward to a ‘brilliant exit storyline’.

Reflecting on his on the show, Colson confessed that he has loved ‘every single second’ of his time on the show and feels ‘incredibly lucky’ to have been a part of the show for so long.

Colson told MailOnline: ‘Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025.

‘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 learned 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 the end of the beginning.

‘I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.