Coronation Street star Colson Smith has revealed he's picked up a painful injury while competing in ITV's The Games. The actor has won the hearts of viewers as they've watched him go up against five other male celebs in a series of sporting events.
The 23-year-old has been going head-to-head with former Corrie star Ryan Thomas, The Wanted's Max George, Love Island's Wes Nelson, Harry Potter actor Josh Herdman, and ex-Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton all week in everything from swimming to speed climbing.
Colson won the admiration of viewers earlier this week when he took part in the Men's 50m Freestyle at the London Aquatics Centre. Prior to taking to the pool, it was revealed in the VT that he had only learnt to swim a matter of weeks ago while training for the show.
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But despite coming last in the race, he quickly became a favourite as not only did he only learn to swim a matter of weeks ago, he also shaved an impressive 10 seconds off his best time, completing the race in 47.71 seconds, just under 15 seconds behind winner Wes. Then, during another episode of The Games, Colson was seen celebrating after he completed the 110m hurdles race without knocking any over.
But it turns out Colson has been masking an injury that he picked up during that race in particular. Speaking on the Sofa Cinema Club podcast alongside Corrie co-stars Jack P Shepherd and Ben Price, the Craig Tinker actor said: "On the hurdles, the floor was soaking wet. Take your marks, set, I've gone up for the set, and my thumb has just gone like that [slipped] and then it was 'go'."
He continued: "On the hurdles, I was laughing my head off because of the amount of pain I was in. I did finish, to clarify. It bl***y hurt, it properly hurt. It's sprained. You put your hands in the blocks, and when you raise up for 'set', my thumb has kind of slipped because it was wet."
Colson added that there was then another problem when he was forced to take his strapping off as his "thumb went numb in the car". He said: "They had to ring the medic and were like, 'What shall we do? Colson has got pins and needles in his thumb'. They were like, 'He's got to lose the strapping.'"
Ben and Jack, who play brothers Nick Tilsley and David Platt in Corrie, have been showing Colson their support via the social channels for their podcast. Following the hurdles they shared a screengrab of Colson celebrating his own mini victory and wrote: "He didn’t knock a hurdle over! Never have we ever seen someone so happy to finish last."
And fans are fully supporting him, naming him their winner. @amy_c_marr said: "Colson you're doing so well, I feel like a proud mate watching and cheering you on from the living room! Keep smashing it ." @megan_hayley_xx shared: "Wow! Colson you are an absolute inspiration, and a true idol to us all! Your determination is amazing! You look so proud of yourself and so you should be, you’re definitely a winner whatever place you finish."
@clurr84 tweeted: "Not a***d who wins over all, but for me the real winner is Colson, absolutely over the moon with himself every time he completes a challenge, what a journey and what a fella #TheGames." @NancyMcgowan wrote: "Colson is the new nation's sweetheart I don't care what you say #TheGames."
