Corrrie star 'annoyed' by Celebrity Big Brother's Jack P Shepherd 'narrative' (2025)

Coronation Street's David Platt actor Jack P Shepherd faces eviction for the second time, prompting an angry response from former soapstar Colson Smith

Coronation Street's Colson Smith has spoken against a "narrative" suggesting the "Corrie vote" is keeping Jack P Shepherd in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

Jack, 37, survived the public vote after facing eviction alongside Hollywood's Mickey Rourke and ex-MP Michael Fabricant. Yet, he's up for eviction once again tonight (April 15), this time with talkshow host Trisha Goddard and EastEnders legend Patsy Palmer.

Some housemates voiced concerns that Jack was saved by the so-called "Corrie vote". However Colson, who spent 14 years playing Craig Tinker, says the idea that the show's six million fans are voting for the David Platt actor on mass is "annoying".

On the On the Sofa podcast, 26-year-old Colson said: "There is a narrative that is annoying me, and this is me being defensive, but there is a narrative around the 'Corrie vote'. People are saying, 'Well it's only the Corrie vote', 'He'd have gone if it wasn't for the Corrie vote' etc, etc, and even in the house there was a comment made by, I can't remember who it was, I think it was made by Danny [Beard] to Michael Fabricant, like, 'Well you're up against a Corrie star'.

"I find that irrelevant but who knows in the bigger picture. Corrie fans don't watch Big Brother so that's the bit I don't like, but I do think people potentially do feel threatened by Jack and his lack of interest because he's inoffensively un-arsed."

Ben Price, co-host of the podcast and Nick Tilsley actor, suggested that Jack was cast on Celebrity Big Brother due to his 25-year stint on Coronation Street, reports Plymouth Live. Colson countered: "I don't think the Corrie vote translates. Are we going six million people watch Corrie and two million people watch Big Brother, is that where their logistics are going?".

However, Ben understood the concept of the "Corrie vote", replying: "I think what you're saying is that someone is in someone's mind every week for 52 weeks of the year in England in the show, and on ITV, literally in the show before the show airs.

"So I don't think it's totally unlegitimate [sic] for Trisha, who has not been on television, to say there will be some vote if people go straight from Corrie to Big Brother, I don't think it's the only reason when you get further on."

Colson jokingly proposed that Coronation Street stars film a scene urging fans to vote for David Platt on the app. Ben, though, worried that fans might become complacent, assuming Jack would be safe.

Colson and Ben had previously said they were "gutted" after seeing Jack facing the first eviction of the series. Ben said: "It just felt like I saw my mate look a bit upset really, a bit sad, and, do you know what?

"I just felt like knocking on the door and going, 'Let's just have an hour, let's just p*** about'. Let's just have a laugh, do the podcast together, and then you can go back to the house."

Colson added: "For starters, I feel a bit gutted and deflated having seen Jack and his reaction and knowing what life is like in the house, it really would take its toll on you.

"I had the moment with Levi when he called me boring, and to me it felt like, in that moment, a little thing like that felt like the world had caved in because of the dynamic. Being up for nomination, you can't put your finger on who, what, when."