Coronation Street fans spot Craig Tinker’s ‘replacement’ ahead of exit after 14 years

Fans of the ITV soap will now know that actor Colson Smith confirmed he’ll be leaving this year

Coronation Street fans think they have spotted Craig Tinker’s ‘replacement’ as the police officer will soon be leaving the cobbles behind.

Fans of the ITV soap will now know that actor Colson Smith confirmed earlier this month that he’ll be bowing out of the popular programme soon after being told by soap chiefs that his character had reached the end of the road.

Colson has grown up alongside his character on-screen, having first appeared in Weatherfield as the son of Beth Tinker, played by Lisa George, as a youngster back in 2011. However, Colson confirmed on January 6 that as he prepares to mark 14 years in Weatherfield this summer, his time as his policing alter-ego is coming to an end.

In the social media post, shared to X and Instagram alongside a picture of himself portraying Craig as a police officer, which confirmed the news, Colson said: “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 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!”

**An officer arrived to take Chesney in for questioning** (Image: ITV)

But following the latest trip to Weatherfield on Monday night (January 27), Corrie fans think they saw who will become the area’s new local cop.

During the episode, Chesney Brown and Gemma Winter-Brown had an unexpected visit from the police following Chesney’s clash with a car he believed was tailing him. As the police officer made his way into their home, it wasn’t someone Corrie fans would usually be able to recognise.

@MattMurkyfuture said: “Deep voiced police officer is this tinks replacement #corrie #coronationstreet.” @lara_305 asked: “New police officers?! Where’s Kit, Lisa or Craigy? #Corrie.” @Ian38711310 commented: “Bloody hell there’s more police than Swain, Kit and Craig #corrie.” @ifeelflames added: “Holly c**p, there are two whole other cops on the Wetherfield beat, it’s not just Craig, Lisa and Kit on the force #Corrie.”