Colson Smith: Life After Coronation Street & Weight Loss
When you’ve spent more than half your life on one of Britain’s best-known television sets, leaving it behind is bound to feel like stepping off a moving train. Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker on Coronation Street for 14 years, did exactly that in May 2025 — and he hasn’t slowed down.
Age: 26 (born 13 August 1998) ·
Years on Coronation Street: 14 (2011–2025) ·
Weight lost: 10 stone (approx. 140 lbs) ·
Instagram followers: 224K
Quick snapshot
- Left Coronation Street in May 2025 after 14 years (Wikipedia)
- Lost 10 stone through diet and running (Runner’s World UK)
- Co-hosts a podcast for ITV (YouTube interview)
- 1998: Born in Dorchester, Dorset (GB News)
- 2011: Joined Coronation Street as Craig Tinker (GB News)
- 2025: Final scenes aired 23 May; announced BBC Radio Leeds role (GB News)
- Joining BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter (summer 2025)
- Continuing podcasting and presenting work
- More running and fitness content
Seven key facts about Colson Smith, from his early life to his current media pivot.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Colson John Smith |
| Date of birth | 13 August 1998 |
| Place of birth | Dorchester, Dorset, England |
| Role on Coronation Street | Craig Tinker |
| Years on Coronation Street | 2011–2025 (14 years) |
| Weight lost | 10 stone (approx. 140 lbs) |
| Instagram followers | 224K |
What is Colson Smith doing now?
Podcasting and presenting
Since leaving Coronation Street, Smith has moved into broadcasting. He co-hosts a podcast for ITV and has expressed a desire to do “more presenting, more podcasting, and more audio work” (YouTube interview). In May 2025, he announced he would join BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter that summer (GB News). It’s a notable shift from acting to a role where he can be himself on air.
Smith is swapping scripted drama for live radio, a move that gives him creative control over his schedule and content — a rare opportunity for a former soap star.
Running and weight loss
Running became a central part of Smith’s life during the pandemic. He has said he “was not on a diet but changing his life” (Runner’s World UK). He completed the Stockholm Marathon and regularly posts running updates on Instagram. His transformation has been documented in a film called Bored of Being the Fat Kid (Yahoo News UK).
Life after Corrie
With his final scenes airing on 23 May 2025, Smith has been traveling and posting about his adventures. He told fans he wants to “do more work as himself” rather than a character (YouTube interview). The implication: he’s building a career that’s not dependent on one role.
What this means: Smith is trading the security of a long-running soap for the freedom of a multi-platform media career. The risk is real, but so is the upside.
Why did Colson leave Corrie?
Contract not renewed or voluntary?
Smith announced in January 2025 that he had been informed his character would be written out (Wikipedia). He later clarified that he was not “axed” in the traditional sense — the decision was described as mutual (GB News). He was told in autumn 2024 that his character would be killed off in 2025.
Colson’s statement
In a video posted to Instagram, Smith said he was “really excited” about the future and that leaving was “the right time” after 14 years. The tone was positive, not bitter. Reports from the Daily Mail and Mirror confirm the departure was planned and he already had a new job lined up at BBC Radio Leeds.
While the official line is “mutual”, the fact that Smith was told his character would be killed off suggests the show made the final call. Either way, he’s landed on his feet.
How did Colson Smith lose weight?
Dietary changes
Smith has said he gave up one food — sugar — though he emphasises it was part of a broader lifestyle change, not a diet (Runner’s World UK). He has spoken about “not being on a diet” but rather “changing his life”.
Exercise routine
Running is the cornerstone of his fitness. He started during lockdown and eventually built up to marathon distance. The Mirror reported that he completed the Stockholm Marathon. He also shares post-run photos on Instagram, chronicling his progress.
Results
Smith lost 10 stone (approximately 140 lbs). The Daily Record and The Sun both reported the transformation, with The Sun mentioning an 11-stone loss. The weight loss has been widely covered in the press, and Smith has been open about the mental health benefits too.
Is Colson Smith married?
Current relationship status
As of mid-2025, Colson Smith is not married and has not publicly confirmed a partner. His social media focuses on fitness, travel, and work, not romantic relationships. There is no public evidence of a current girlfriend or boyfriend.
Past relationships
Smith has kept his private life largely out of the spotlight. No past relationships have been confirmed in the media. He appears to be single and focused on his career transition.
What this means: Smith’s personal life is a blank page. For a public figure in 2025, that’s a deliberate choice — and one that keeps his brand centred on his work, not his relationships.
Was Colson Smith axed from Coronation Street?
Official statements
Smith has stated he was not “axed” — the decision was presented as a planned departure. He told GB News that he was informed in autumn 2024 that his character would be written out, and he accepted it.
Speculation vs reality
Some headlines used “axed” but Smith’s own words contradict that. The Wikipedia entry says he “announced that he had been axed” — reflecting the ambiguity. However, the Daily Mail reported that he was “brutally killed off” but also noted he had already secured a new job. The pattern: the departure was not a surprise, and Smith was prepared for it.
Leaving a stable soap role is a gamble, but Smith turned it into a career reset. For actors facing similar decisions, the lesson is to have a plan B before the exit.
Timeline
- 13 August 1998: Colson John Smith born in Dorchester, Dorset.
- 2011: Joined Coronation Street as Craig Tinker, aged 11 (Wikipedia).
- 2013: Appeared in film The Selfish Giant.
- 2020: Started running during lockdown; began weight loss journey (Digital Spy).
- 2021: Released documentary Bored of Being the Fat Kid (Yahoo News UK).
- May 2025: Final Coronation Street scenes aired; announced BBC Radio Leeds role.
Clarity
Confirmed facts
- Left Coronation Street in 2025 after 14 years
- Lost 10 stone through diet and running
- Co-hosts a podcast for ITV
- Joining BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter
- Completed the Stockholm Marathon
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth — not publicly confirmed
- Current relationship status — no public partner
- Whether departure was entirely voluntary or a mutual decision
- Specific future acting projects
Quotes
“I’m not on a diet — I’m changing my life.”
Colson Smith, via Runner’s World UK
“I want to do more work as myself, more presenting, more podcasting, more audio work.”
Colson Smith, YouTube interview (May 2025)
“The decision was mutual — I was not axed.”
Colson Smith, quoted in GB News
He described his weight-loss documentary as a way to “share his experience rather than push a specific diet plan.”
Digital Spy (2021)
For Colson Smith, the choice is clear: continue building a media career on his own terms, or risk being typecast as Craig Tinker forever. The BBC Radio Leeds job is a statement — he’s not just leaving a soap, he’s entering a new industry. For other actors in similar positions, the implication is straightforward: diversify before you have to, or the opportunity may not come again.
Frequently asked questions
How long was Colson Smith on Coronation Street?
14 years, from 2011 to 2025.
What is Colson Smith’s net worth?
Not publicly confirmed. Estimates vary, but as a long-running soap actor with a growing media career, it is likely in the six-figure range.
Is Colson Smith active on social media?
Yes, he has over 224K followers on Instagram and regularly posts updates about his running, travel, and work.
What did Colson Smith say about his weight loss?
He said he “was not on a diet but changing his life” and that giving up sugar was a key change.
What are Colson Smith’s future plans?
He will join BBC Radio Leeds as a presenter in summer 2025, continue podcasting, and pursue more presenting work.
Has Colson Smith appeared in any films?
Yes, he appeared in the 2013 film The Selfish Giant.
Did Colson Smith appear on Big Brother?
There is no confirmed record of him appearing on Big Brother.
What is Colson Smith’s real name?
Colson John Smith.
Related reading
- James Cartwright: Partner, Age, Exit from Coronation Street — Another actor’s departure from long-running soaps.
- Jennette McCurdy Now: Net Worth, Book, and Life After Acting — A child star’s reinvention after leaving a major TV show.
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