Coronation Street legend broke down in tears after boss's nine-word message

Coronation Street Colson Smith has admitted he broke down in tears after he was axed from the soap.

The Corrie star, who has played the iconic character Craig Tinker for the past 14 years, revealed this week that his time on the cobbles would be coming to an end this year.

Speaking on the latest episode of the On The Sofa podcast with his fellow Coronation Street actors Jack P. Shepherd and Ben Price, who play David Platt and Nick Tilsley, he revealed he has kept the news a secret since October.

The 26-year-old revealed he knew he was going to get axed from the soap after being invited to a meeting with new Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks.

He said: "As soon as I walked into where her office is, turned the corner and clocked eyes with her, she just gave me this look and I was like 'oh no, don't do that, don't give me that look.

"She just looked at me and said 'Colson, this is going to be a really hard conversation' and I said 'I know that', like, let's go and have it."

Colson explained that bosses had decided to axe him after his character became "isolated" after his on-screen girlfriend and mum left the show, leaving him with "no family".

Despite the disappointment, Colson said he had thoroughly enjoyed appearing in over 750 episodes, but admitted he was left in tears after the conversation.

"I think Kate knows that I love the show and I've loved every minute about it and I'm very understanding and accepting of the way it goes," he said.

"I completely understood Craig was at the end of his journey. The hardest bit, probably, was walking down the stairs knowing that you two were there."

Colson said that both Jack and Ben were waiting in the green room for him after the meeting and were both quick to console him with a group hug.

He said: "I think, even in my teary state, part of me went 'what the f*** is going on?'. As I'm hugging Ben, there's a TV that's on the wall mounted in the green room and it was turned off and I just saw the reflection of little Jack hugging my waist."

This week, devastated fans learned that Colson was axed from the show, with him taking to social media to share a heartwarming statement.

Sharing a snap of himself in character as Craig posing in front of the Rovers Return, Colson told his 207,000 Instagram followers: "Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinkers 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.

The actor, who joined the soap at just 11 years old, continued: "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!"