Coronation Street favourite Colson Smith has spoken out against the "narrative" that there's a "Corrie vote" helping Jack P Shepherd on Celebrity Big Brother.
Jack, 37, survived the public vote after being nominated for eviction on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Hollywood star Mickey Rourke and former MP Michael Fabricant. Tonight (April 15), Jack once again faces eviction alongside talkshow host Trisha Goddard and EastEnders icon Patsy Palmer.
There were concerns from some housemates that Jack had survived thanks to the "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 en masse is "annoying".
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Speaking on the On the Sofa podcast, Colson, 26, 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."
Podcast co-host Ben Price, who stars as Nick Tilsley, pointed out the reason Jack was cast by producers on Celebrity Big Brother is because of his 25-year tenure on Coronation Street, reports Plymouth Live. Colson replied: "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?".
Ben empathised with the notion of a "Corrie vote", responding: "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 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 joked the Coronation Street stars should film a scene encouraging fans of the soap to head to the app and "vote for David Platt". Ben however was concerned fans could become complacent and think Jack would be fine.
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 expressed his letdown, saying: "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."
He recalled a troubling encounter: "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."
English (United States) ·