Coronation Street star left gutted over co-star's exit after 'bonding' on soap

Soap star Joe Layton has spoken about a co-star's departure from Coronation Street ahead of his own exit from the ITV soap. He's paid tribute to a former colleague who left the show recently after more than a decade in the cast. It was announced in January that Colson Smith, 26, would be leaving Corrie after having joined the cast in 2011. He made his final appearance in May when his character Craig Tinker was killed off in a storyline involving co-star Joe, 33.

Police officer Craig was attacked by Mick Michaelis (played by Joe) whilst trying to arrest him. He was left for dead after being hit over the head with a baseball bat and was later pronounced death at hospital due to swelling on the brain. Ahead of his own departure, Joe has now paid tribute to Colson, whom he said brought a "positive energy" to the set. He suggested that his former co-star's absence is felt by the remaining cast and crew behind-the-scenes on the show.

Joe told the Mirror: "He was such a positive energy and for the other cast and crew there's obviously a massive Colson-sized hole everywhere at Coronation Street. But we had a good chat when we first met and continued to chat."

The actor added that he had "bonded" with Colson over their mutual support of football teamLeeds United. He went on to describe his former colleague as "warm-hearted" whilst talking about Colson following his exit.

Joe said: "We were both Leeds United fans, so we bonded over that pretty quickly. And I was just struck by what a lovely warm-hearted person he is. He never made me feel in any way shape or form: 'I'm doing this bad thing to this popular character'."

Colson had revealed that he wanted to his character to be killed off for his exit. He told the Mirror and other press earlier this year: "I would want the door to be shut, so then I can kind of know in my head that Corrie has been this, Corrie has done that, and it is now done, and Craig's journey is over."

He continued at the time: "It was the right thing for me to be killed." Colson explained: "I think Craig dying, and Craig dying in the line of duty as a copper, that kind of hero's death was by far the most perfect story for the exit."

Joe is now set to leave Corrie himself, though his final scenes are yet to air. It's been teased this week that the cast member, who would happily return, will be leaving the cobbles with a bang.

His character Mick is set to cause mayhem after breaking out of prison. Joe teased: "No-one on the street is safe. [...] Serving a life sentence isn't something he can deal with and he'll do whatever it takes to get out of the country and take his kids with him."

Coronation Street continues tomorrow from 9pm on ITV, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

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