Craig Tinker

Craig Tinker is a fictional character in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Colson Smith. He was introduced as the son of Beth Tinker (Lisa George). He made his first appearance during the episode airing on 5 August 2011 and returned along with Beth as a regular in January 2012.^[2]

Storylines

Craig is Beth Tinker's (Lisa George) teenage son. He accompanies his mother to her date with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) at the Bistro, where the trio are thrown out. Craig and Beth later move into 13 Coronation Street with Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford). Craig brings his pet rat Darryl with him, which Tracy dislikes. A few months later, Beth, Craig and Tracy are evicted. Beth and Craig move into the flat above Barlow's Bookies, but when Beth begins dating Kirk Sutherland (Andrew Whyment), they move in with him.

In mid-2013, Craig begins acting very strangely. He begins avoiding Beth and Kirk and soon reveals to Karl Munro (John Michie) that he had been at the back of The Rovers Return moments before it went up in flames. Craig says he'd thrown a cigarette away when Karl, who was the arsonist, came out, so Karl tries to reassure him that victim Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati) burned down the building. However, Craig plans to turn himself in so Karl tricks him into thinking that he had started the fire so nobody would find out his secret. Later, Craig begins to become depressed and Karl starts to take advantage of Craig, such as giving him his phone number and buying him treats. Beth confronts Karl, who says he did it as a one-off. Craig then bunks off school and eventually disappears. Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), Karl's enemy, and Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) start to become suspicious about Karl befriending Craig so suddenly. Karl tracks him down and threatens to kill him if he pulls any more stunts. When he is re-united with Beth and Kirk, Craig claims he is being bullied. The 'bullies' then threaten Craig, but Karl witnesses this and explodes with anger, increasing more suspicion. When Dev tries to talk to Craig, Beth intervenes as she assumes they're in trouble with Dev for shoplifting. After Beth forces Craig into telling her, Kirk, Jason and Dev what's wrong, Craig finally tells Jason, Dev, Beth and Kirk about the incident. The five then work together to bring Karl down, with Dev going to the registry office where Stella Price (Michelle Collins) and Karl are getting married to stop them, while the others go to the police station to make a statement. Despite Dev failing to stop the wedding, Karl is arrested after kindapping Dev and Stella. Craig avoids Stella when she tries to apologise for everything Karl put him through.

Craig discovers that Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) is being bullied at school and he supports her, as he has been bullied previously for being overweight. Craig looks on-line to discover the reasons for Faye's weight gain and he realizes that she may be pregnant. Faye takes a pregnancy test and it confirms that she is pregnant, which she becomes upset and terrified over. Craig is beside Faye to support her.

In April 2015, Faye goes into labour and she pleads for her mum to be with her. Craig finds Anna and Owen and he alerts them that Faye is in trouble. Faye is taken to hospital, where she gives birth to a baby girl. Craig is questioned by his mother about the possibility of him being the father of Faye's baby. Craig promises that he is not the father and he was only supporting her through the final months of her pregnancy because he is one of Faye's closest friends. After attempting to attack Craig, following the accusations of him being the father of Faye's baby and hitting Kirk Sutherland (Andrew Whyment) in the process, Owen is reported and arrested for assault. In June 2015 Craig starts acting weird and creeping out of the house at night. Beth starts to suspect that he is a drug addict, however when she searches his bag she founds spraypaints. Craig shows Beth and Kirk that he has been painting a memorial, for Maddie Heath (Amy James-Kelly), who died in the Victoria Court fire. He later admits to painting on Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor)'s wall. Beth and Kirk cheer him on.

In August, Craig goes on a camping trip with Beth, Kirk, Sinead, Fiz, Tyrone, wilderness explorer Dougie Ryan, and Dougie's daughter Caitlin, who falls in love with him and vice versa. Craig is upset the following month when Caitlin stands him up, but she turns up at the Bistro and apologises as her dad was in A&E. Caitlin visits Craig at his and work on Art together, though when Craig lends Caitlin a jumper so she doesn't get her clothing dirty, Beth catches them in, what she thinks, a compromising position. Caitlin has tea with Beth and Kirk and Craig is mortified when they embarrass him. When Caitlin is due to visit, Craig confides in Faye that he's not ready to take his relationship with Caitlin further as he is not ready. Craig cancels on Caitlin, pretending he is ill, but she visits and Faye encourages him to talk to her. Craig admits that he is not ready and Caitlin admits she's not ready either.

Casting

In January 2015, Smith was asked in an interview with Digital Spy if he remembers his first day, he responded; "Yes, I was 12 and I was with Lisa George [who plays Beth]. We were sat in the green room eating fish and chips and talking about what the future might hold. Lisa was in a normal day-to-day job and I was just a school kid. We talked about what it would be like to be in this show full-time, but we never imagined it would actually happen. I was in a scene outside Streetcars and I was very nervous. Every time I walk down the cobbles it is special but that was extra special."^[3]

Development

In an interview with Digital Spy Lisa George who plays Craig's mother Beth was asked if Craig's father would make an appearance, she replied: ""It could be interesting! I've recently had to comment on him in a scene, saying that he'd legged it as soon as he found out that Beth was pregnant. It's been a long time since he's seen Craig - he possibly never has. So it'd be a shock if he did come onto the Street!"^[4]

In July 2013, Peter Dyke and Katie Begley from the Daily Star reported that Craig would "fall foul" of Karl Munro (John Michie).^[5] Karl is trying to keep the fact that he started a fire at The Rovers Return a secret, but soon realises that Craig has some information that could expose him.^[5] Karl embarks on "a sinister campaign" to get Craig on his side by befriending him and buying him computer games.^[5] Craig soon goes missing from Weatherfield and Karl is questioned by the police.^[5] A show spokesperson commented "Craig is the key to his freedom because he knows stuff regarding Karl and the night of the fire. So has Craig run away – or has Karl decided to get him under control once and for all?"^[5]

In January 2015, it was reported that Craig would find out about his friend Faye Windass (Ellie Leach)'s pregnancy after Faye confides in him.^[6] Asked how he would describe Craig's friendship with Faye, Smith replied: "They can go to each other for anything. Craig really trusts Faye and has a lot of time for her. Deep down he loves her, and he knows what is best for her even when she doesn't herself. He cares for her a lot, they are kindred spirits, they identify with each other and they have things in common. They share their experiences and it is a nice friendship - just two people who are nice to each other. Craig sees Faye as a kid sister. He doesn't see her as a potential girlfriend - he loves her like a family member and he would really look out for her."

In August 2015, Craig fell for a girl named Caitlin (Eve Gordon) while on a camping trip and after sharing a heart-to-heart with Caitlin, they both kiss. “He just gets distracted for the whole trip because he meets this girl,” Smith revealed. “I think for once, Craig’s personality has come across really well to this girl, and she’s fallen for him, and he’s fallen for her.” The same episodes also introduced Caitlin’s father, Dougie, played by Paddy McGuinness, Dougie, described by Smith as “your typical ‘get your hands off my daughter’ type bloke”.^[7]

Reception

Smith was nominated 'Best Young Actor' at the 2015 Inside Soap Awards.^[8][9]

References

External links

Craig Tinker at itv.com