CORONATION Street fans have slammed soap bosses for ditching police officer Craig Tinker’s gripping OCD storyline with no explanation.
At the time, the mental health storyline was praised by viewers and was even discussed on ITV show This Morning.
Colson Smith is leaving his role as beloved Craig Tinker on Corrie[/caption]
Viewers were glued to Craig’s struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder back in 2018, watching the beloved character battle rituals as he tried to keep best mate Bethany Platt safe.
But now, six years later, Corrie fans are furious the plotline has been completely dropped, despite Craig climbing the ranks in Weatherfield’s police force.
Taking to Reddit, one viewer raged: “Where did it go? It doesn’t just disappear. I myself have OCD, and the tics I have don’t just magically disappear.”
They explained how their own OCD affects their daily life, adding: “Craig was on the more severe side of the OCD spectrum, but now it’s as though it has never happened. It drives me up the wall. Even if it’s not major, he should still be showing signs of something.”
Another fan fumed: “Yep, he was there clicking light switches and all sorts. Like many other plots, all forgotten.”
Fans pointed out that Craig’s high-pressure police job would likely make his symptoms worse, not magically cure him.
Another said: “In all honesty, Craig’s OCD would be triggered by stressors — and his job is extremely stressful (all jokes about him aside).
“It’s also unrealistic in that it teaches the audience that people can ‘get over’ their issues, which is both dangerous and untrue.”
Craig’s OCD storyline first unfolded in 2018, with actor Colson Smith speaking openly about the plot during an interview on This Morning.
He appeared on This Morning with real-life sufferer Richard Taylor, saying it’s “fantastic” that a major soap is tackling the issue.
Craig said: “I got told [about the storyline] probably six months ago and then it started on the day of Bethany’s trial, so something you saw there was the catalyst. He forgot the time.
“It started with an obsession around time. He started drawing 24 hour clock, then it was an obsession with even numbers to the time he was leaving the house so it’s grown.”
“The minute I found out about it, I did lots of research, it’s fascinating how it takes different forms.
“How it’s seen in public is something that needs to change, there needs to be less stigmas and less stereotypes and hopefully this storyline might do that.”
At its peak, the storyline saw Craig unable to leave the house without intense rituals, tapping light switches and counting steps.
Eventually, Craig broke down and barricaded himself in the flat during his worst ever episode of OCD.
With the help of Bethany he eventually sought help from the doctor.
Fans praised the soap at the time for shining a light on mental health issues — but now feel let down by the lack of follow-through.
Another viewer said on Reddit: “There is no way he would be mentally fit to do that job, given what he’d likely be faced with.
“Even if conditions are ‘stable,’ something will always exist to flare them up. That’s the reality of the situation.”
COLSON’S EXIT
Fans of the ITV soap were left shocked when it was confirmed Colson Smith will be leaving at some time in 2025.
Colson confirmed that he would be leaving Coronation Street at the beginning this year, writing on Instagram: “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 world.”
As well as being a favourite on Corrie, Colson appeared on the reboot of Celebrity Big Brother last year, making it to the finals.
He eventually placed third behind Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin, who came second, and winner David Potts.
