'Why killing off Coronation Street's Craig Tinker was cruel - and a huge mistake'

Coronation Street has just lost one of its most important characters - and the soap world is in mourning. In tragic scenes that aired this evening, we watched Craig Tinker lose his life as the Cobbles learned of the policeman's fate.

Craig - played by Colson Smith - was attacked by Mick Michaelis, who left him for dead at the end of Monday's night episode. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance but in sad scenes tonight, he

Rumours of a shock exit for Craig star Colson came over the past few months after it was revealed Colson had been axed from the soap. He said at the time: "Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker's time on the Cobbles is to come to an end in 2025. I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the .

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"I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around . 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 the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me. Long live the cobbles!"

To kill Craig Tinker has to be one of the worst decisions the soap could have made. Of course, soaps have to kill off those characters that mean so much to us - but couldn't Craig have just moved away to be with his family elsewhere?

Colson was just 11 when he joined the show and has been a huge advocate for the soap throughout the years. Even when the news was announced he had been axed, he said he felt "incredibly lucky" to be on the show and ended his statement with "long live the Cobbles". He was part of a podcast with fellow actors Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price.

There was no one who was more 'Coronation Street' then Colson Smith - and killing off Craig Tinker was not what the character deserved. Everyone has to move on, of course, but killing Craig isn't honouring his character and the essence of what Coronation Street is. Craig provided the humour and many lighter moments on the soap.

The Cobbles will not be the same without Our Craigy - and soap fans up and down the country have been left bidding farewell to a much loved - and much needed - character.

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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