{{short description|English actor (born 1998)}} {{Use British English|date=May 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Colson Smith | birth_name = Colson John Smith | image = Colson Smith.png | caption = Smith in 2023 | alt = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|8|13|df=y}} | birth_place = Dorchester, Dorset, England | occupation = Actor | known_for = Role of Craig Tinker in ''Coronation Street'' | years_active = 2011–present | relatives = }}
'''Colson John Smith''' (born 13 August 1998) is an English actor, known for portraying the role of Craig Tinker on the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' between 2011 and 2025. He has also appeared as a contestant on the ITV reality series ''The Games'' (2022) and ''Celebrity Big Brother'' (2024).
==Life and career== Smith was born on 13 August 1998 in Dorchester, Dorset, and later moved to Castleford, West Yorkshire, where he attended Castleford High School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.santaradio.co.uk/mugshots/colson-smith-actor|title=Colson Smith - Actor|work=Santa Radio|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234245/https://www.santaradio.co.uk/mugshots/colson-smith-actor|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000wj19|title=Corrie's Colson Smith|website=BBC|date=2 June 2021|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602163451/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000wj19|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-craig-reveals-his-love-for-bethany-colson-smith-interview/|title=Coronation Street: Craig reveals his love for Bethany - Colson Smith interview|date=4 December 2017|website=Radio Times|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226165511/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-craig-reveals-his-love-for-bethany-colson-smith-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Smith began attending acting classes run by Northern Film and Drama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amigotalent.co.uk/colson-smith/|title=Colson Smith|website=Amigo Talent|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618020409/https://www.amigotalent.co.uk/colson-smith/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2011, he was cast as Craig Tinker in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'', the son of Beth Tinker (Lisa George). His character's storylines have included a battle with OCD and becoming a police officer.
For his role of Craig, he was nominated for Best Young Actor at the 2015 ''Inside Soap'' Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/articles/interview-with-colson-smith|title=Interview with Colson Smith|date=31 July 2021|website=ITV|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=1 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101220850/https://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/articles/interview-with-colson-smith|url-status=live}}</ref>
Outside of ''Coronation Street'', Smith has appeared as Adam Concus in several short films, the first being ''Platform2C'' in 2011, followed by ''Hollows Wood'' and ''Jailhouse Dog'' in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollows-Wood-Billy-Conway/dp/B071DT7941|title=Hollows Wood|website=Amazon|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234245/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hollows-Wood-Billy-Conway/dp/B071DT7941|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jailhouse-Dog-Colson-Smith/dp/B01MS8W4JE|title=Jailhouse Dog|website=Amazon|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=8 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234245/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jailhouse-Dog-Colson-Smith/dp/B01MS8W4JE|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared as Jack in ''Reverie''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/coronation-street-colson-smith-jack-14425582|title=Coronation Street's Colson Smith: Five things you didn't know about Craig Tinker in real life including his Corrie flatmate|website=OK!|date=15 February 2018|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305165627/https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/coronation-street-colson-smith-jack-14425582|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2019 he launched the ''Sofa Cinema Club'' podcast alongside his ''Coronation Street'' co-stars Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Price, Colson Smith and Jack P Shepherd |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ben-price-colson-smith-and-jack-p-shepherd/id1457721095?i=1000485900334 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508234249/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ben-price-colson-smith-and-jack-p-shepherd/id1457721095?i=1000485900334 |archive-date=8 May 2022 |accessdate=8 May 2022 |website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref> The podcast later rebranded as ''On The Sofa.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-05 |title=On The Sofa with Colson, Jack and Ben |url=https://shows.acast.com/sofacinemaclub/ |access-date=2026-01-06 |website=shows.acast.com}}</ref>
In 2020, Smith took up running to lose weight and released his own YouTube documentary ''Bored of Being the Fat Kid''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a36519870/coronation-street-colson-smith-craig-tinker-weight-storyline-changed/|title=Coronation Street star Colson Smith reveals Craig Tinker weight storyline was changed|date=25 May 2021|website=Digital Spy|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524211802/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a36519870/coronation-street-colson-smith-craig-tinker-weight-storyline-changed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-57234368|title=Corrie actor Colson Smith: 'I've been trolled over my weight for 10 years'|website=BBC News|date=1 June 2021|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022000526/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-57234368|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/coronation-street-colson-smith-weight-loss-documentary-newsupdate/|title=Coronation Street's Colson Smith to tell story of weight loss journey in his own words for ITV|website=Radio Times|date=24 May 2021|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=13 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613092407/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/coronation-street-colson-smith-weight-loss-documentary-newsupdate/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0602/1225523-corrie-star-taking-control-after-years-of-online-abuse/|title=Corrie star taking control of his story after years of online trolling about his weight|date=2 June 2021|website=RTÉ|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925103154/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2021/0602/1225523-corrie-star-taking-control-after-years-of-online-abuse/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, he appeared on a celebrity special of ''Sitting on a Fortune''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/hub/sitting-on-a-fortune/2a7674a0008|title=Sitting on a Fortune - Series 1, Episode 7|website=ITV|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=7 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507004807/https://www.itv.com/hub/sitting-on-a-fortune/2a7674a0008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/coronation-streets-colson-smith-shed-10-stone-in-weight-by-making-easy-change/|title=Coronation Street's Colson Smith shed 10 stone in weight by making 'easy' change|website=Entertainment Daily|date=19 December 2021|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219192352/https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/coronation-streets-colson-smith-shed-10-stone-in-weight-by-making-easy-change/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2022, he was a contestant on the sporting reality series ''The Games''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-announces-celebrity-line-games|title=ITV announces celebrity line-up for The Games|date=21 March 2022|website=ITV Press Centre|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325135429/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-announces-celebrity-line-games|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/corries-colson-smith-signs-up-26054778|title=Corrie's Colson Smith 'signs up to The Games' after ten stone weight loss|website=OK!|date=26 January 2022|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202110213/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/corries-colson-smith-signs-up-26054778|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39487026/kevin-clifton-colson-smith-itv-the-games-line-up/|title=Strictly's Kevin Clifton and Coronation Street's Colson Smith join line-up for new ITV show The Games|website=OK!|date=21 March 2022|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=11 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411004243/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a39487026/kevin-clifton-colson-smith-itv-the-games-line-up/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2024, Smith entered the ''Celebrity Big Brother'' house to compete in the twenty-third series, and reached the final and came in third <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/colson-smith-celebrity-big-brother-2024-contestant/ | title=Who is Colson Smith? Celebrity Big Brother 2024 contestant }}</ref>
He is a supporter of Leeds United Football Club.
In 2024, Smith featured in the first four episodes of the spin off series ''I'm a Celebrity: Unpacked'', following his fellow Corrie star Alan Halsall featuring in the main show.
In January 2025, Smith announced that he had been axed from ''Coronation Street'' after 14 years, with his final scenes airing on 23 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Another Coronation Street star enters I'm A Celeb leaving fans baffled {{!}} TV & Radio {{!}} Showbiz & TV {{!}} Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1977377/coronation-street-cast-colson-smith-im-a-celebrity/amp |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=www.express.co.uk}}</ref>
After being a cover presenter for BBC Local Radio in Yorkshire on BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio York, Smith became the presenter of the Saturday mid-morning show across the three stations in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://radiotoday.co.uk/2025/09/craig-from-corry-gets-bbc-local-radio-show-in-yorkshire/?fbclid=IwY2xjawORveRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR4QMNtTHTzeOQgjBpnZ8sZSjQy6SYcVX8Vmf8_c-b5sK7uiVE6oVNTnVcJNvg_aem_5ub63QvNGYL8QYFSUCTJ0g|title=Colson Smith joins BBC Local Radio in Yorkshire}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! class="unsortable" | Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2011 | ''Platform 2C'' | Adam Concus | Short film |- | 2011–2025 | ''Coronation Street'' | Craig Tinker | Series regular |- | 2012 | ''Reverie'' | Jack | Short film |- | 2014 | ''Hollow Wood'' | Adam Concus | Short film |- | 2014 | ''Jailhouse Dog'' | Adam Concus | Short film |- | 2021 | ''Sitting on a Fortune'' | Himself | Contestant |- | 2022 | ''The Games'' | Himself | Contestant |- | 2024 | ''Celebrity Big Brother'' | Himself | Finalist 3rd; series 23 |- | 2024 | ''I'm a Celebrity: Unpacked'' | Himself | Guest |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}} |- | 2015 | ''Inside Soap'' Awards | Best Young Actor | ''Coronation Street'' | {{nom}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a658118/inside-soap-awards-2015-longlist-revealed-whos-in-line-for-best-actor-actress-and-newcomer/|title=Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?|website=Digital Spy|date=14 July 2015|accessdate=8 May 2022|archive-date=19 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219015332/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a658118/inside-soap-awards-2015-longlist-revealed-whos-in-line-for-best-actor-actress-and-newcomer/|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|4637055}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Colson}} Category:1998 births Category:English male child actors Category:English male soap opera actors Category:Living people Category:People from Dorchester, Dorset Category:People from Castleford Category:Male actors from Dorset Category:Male actors from West Yorkshire Category:Actors from West Dorset District Category:Actors from the City of Wakefield