Coronation Street fans are convinced they have figured out who kills Craig Tinker after it was reported the iconic character will be killed off in a dramatic storyline

Coronation Street fans are convinced they’ve figured out who will be responsible for the demise of Craig Tinker, amid rumours that the character is set to be written out of the show later this year.

Craig, portrayed by Colson Smith, has been a familiar face on the ITV soap since 2011, debuting at the tender age of 12. Over the years, he’s captured the hearts of the show’s dedicated viewers.

Craig’s journey has seen him involved in major plotlines, including his career in law enforcement and a series of unfortunate romantic entanglements on the street. Adding to his challenges, last year saw him rocked by the departure of his mother Beth (played by Lisa George) after her 13-year tenure in Weatherfield.

In January, Colson Smith announced his exit from the series. He expressed his affection for his time on the show, saying: “I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the GREATEST street in the world.”

However, recent reports suggest Craig’s exit will be marked by a tragic twist, with his character expected to meet a heroic end this summer, reports Leicestershire Live. A source disclosed to The Sun: “Craig has grown up on the street and he’s become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it.

“PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.” Fans are now abuzz with theories, certain they know the identity of Craig’s killer—and they’re confident it’s not the corrupt officer Kit Green (Jacob Roberts).

Since his introduction last year, Kit has certainly raised eyebrows amongst the fanbase. With a history of murky activities at work and the shady incident that led to Craig’s mum being pushed out of town, he’s been marked by some as a person of interest. Speculation is rife, with a segment of viewers convinced that Kit may be responsible for snuffing out Craig.

Conjecture about who could be the villain has spread to Coronation Street fan circles on social media. Commenting on the possibility of Craig’s departure from the show, one member of a Coronation Street Facebook fan group expressed their attachment to the character: “He’s a lovely lad and I like him a lot will be sad to see him go….”

However, theories are abound, and some fans are suspecting Rob Donovan (portrayed by Marc Baylis) as the potential culprit. A devotee of the show pondered on the fan page: “I think Rob kills him,” which prompted agreement from other followers, with one adding: “Yes.”

Another even suggested tragic heroism might be Craig’s fate: “Same here, poor Craig! Perhaps he dies trying to save Carla.” The criminal past of Rob, the convict who recently became a fugitive, surely makes him a candidate—after all, he violently ended Tina McIntyre’s (played by Michelle Keegan) life back in 2014.

Yet, there’s another newcomer who might be the real threat. Mick (played by Joe Layton) has already stirred up trouble since arriving last month with his wife Lou (Farrel Hegarty) on Mawdsley Street.

Tagged as “nightmare neighbours” by some, they’re poised to wreak havoc, leaving room for speculation. A suspicious fan contributed: “Or what about the new neighbour? He’s dodgy!”. With such characters causing turbulence in the community, viewers can only guess who will bring calamity next.

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX