Corrie Craig Tinker star’s life – 10st weight loss, co-star ‘dad’ and bullying hell

Coronation Street actor Colson Smith has won the hearts of millions with his portrayal of Craig Tinker, the lovable character who moved into No 13 with his pet rat Daryl.

But what many fans may not know is that Colson’s journey to fame has been far from easy.

In fact, the actor was only meant to appear on the show for two episodes after his mum, played by Lisa George, took him along on a disastrous date with her old flame Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson.

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Despite the awkwardness of the date, Colson and his on-screen mum were a hit with viewers, and the rest is history.

Since then, Colson’s character has been at the center of some of Coronation Street’s most gripping storylines, including a battle with OCD and a tumultuous relationship with former jailbird Faye Windass.

But while his character may be known for his kind heart and positive attitude, Colson’s real-life journey has been anything but easy.

The star has experienced his own trials and tribulations that have shaped his life from his weight loss battle and surviving his own bullying hell.

Weight Loss

It’s hard to believe that the actor who plays Craig Tinker on Coronation Street used to weigh over 19 stone.

But after years of struggling with his weight, Colson has transformed his body and his life, shedding an impressive 10 stone.

In a candid interview, Colson opened up about his journey, revealing that his weight was affecting his health and that he knew he had to make a change.

“It’s been years of just understanding what I was doing wrong,” he told The Mirror.

“I started by cutting out junk food and gradually began exercising more. Over time, the weight began to come off, and I found myself feeling better than ever.”

But Colson’s journey to a healthier lifestyle wasn’t without its challenges.

He documented his battles with his weight as part of his own film Bored Of Being The Fat Kid, which was released on YouTube after Colson celebrated a personal achievement telling fans he had been a runner for two years.

“There aren’t any limitations to what I can do. I can keep progressing,” he said.

Colson, who would drink around five pints of fizzy drinks a day before his epic weight loss, has also previously addressed why he chose to take on the physical challenge of ITV’s The Games.

“I’m doing this because obviously two years ago I was a very different person, and now, weirdly, my hobbies are fitness,” he admitted.

“I generally enjoy keeping fit and challenging myself. And this is a challenge, it’s a way to keep fit. There’s a part of me in my head where I have always had limitations on myself and always believed I couldn’t do certain stuff, and I’ve kind of proved bits of that wrong over the past two years.”

Co-star ‘dad’

Coronation Street fans have been left amazed by the close bond between soap stars Colson Smith and Ben Price, who played Nick Tilsley on the soap.

The two actors have lived together, with Colson previously living with Jack P. Shepherd, who plays David Platt.

While living together, Jack admitted living with Colson was a “challenge”, explaining: “I have to teach him about life and things, and I do his washing. He’s like my little project – my nickname is ‘Dad’.”

However, Jack moved in with his girlfriend, leaving Colson to find a new flatmate.

Fortunately, Ben was there to take him in, and the two have formed a close bond.

“It’s a little bit like the changing of the guard,” Colson said on the Sofa Cinema Club podcast. “I’ve moved in with my girlfriend, thankfully,” Jack added. Ben then chimed in, “It was like, ‘The lease is up, you’re having him.'”

Colson has even described Ben as a “second father” and praised him for supporting him through his weight loss journey. In a short film released last spring, Colson shed an undisclosed amount of weight and credited Ben for his support.

Bullying Hell

Colson bravely opened up about the bullying he faced during his childhood, revealing that it left him feeling humiliated and lacking in confidence.

The actor explained that he was always the “fat kid” at school and that he was bullied as a result.

“In school, with your top off, being fat, you don’t want to go swimming. Swimming was a big no-no,” he said. “It made me really unhappy, and I didn’t have a lot of confidence,” he told The Sun following his appearance on The Games.

Despite the bullying, Colson found a way to turn his life around. He fell into acting by chance when he started high school after refusing the stay with a babysitter after school.

The actor, who grew up in Leeds, recalled: “I was the only kid to get picked up by a childminder. So, I went home and said to my Mum and Dad: ‘look, I’m fat, I’m ginger, I’m not going to a childminder, I’m already getting bullied enough. This is not happening.’

With the support of his parents, he began attending a local performing arts school, and it wasn’t long before he was signed by an agent and landed his first film role.

Just six weeks later, he was cast in the iconic role of Craig Tinker on Coronation Street.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk