Coronation Street’s Channique Sterling-Brown Reveals Why She’s Leaving Dee-Dee Bailey Behind
Coronation Street fans were heartbroken to learn that Channique Sterling-Brown is stepping away from her beloved role as Dee-Dee Bailey. After three years on the ITV soap, the award-winning actress has revealed why she made the difficult decision to leave Weatherfield behind.
“It Was Time to Be Brave”
Speaking to the press, including RadioTimes.com, Channique shared that her choice to exit wasn’t taken lightly. “I made the decision in spring, and it wasn’t a rash decision,” she explained. “I took a couple of months from being offered my next year’s contract to actually even respond. I felt really torn but I just had the sense that it was time.”
The actress, who is guided by her faith, said she took her time to reflect and pray before finalising her decision. “I really took my time over it and prayed into it, and I found a real sense that I had done what I’d come to do. I’d achieved what I was sent here to do, so it was time to be brave.”
Looking Ahead to New Challenges
Channique joined Coronation Street in 2022 and quickly became a fan favourite as the ambitious, kind-hearted solicitor Dee-Dee Bailey. Her performance earned her the Best Newcomer trophy at the 2023 British Soap Awards, cementing her as one of the show’s brightest rising stars.
Now, she’s ready to take on new creative challenges. “I’m going in with an open mind because I’m relatively young,” she said. “I would love to get on the stage again. Telly is amazing, but it’s such a different experience to being on the stage. I’d love to do a film, I’d love to do a drama, I’d love to do more comedy. It’s such a big industry out there.”
Although she didn’t share details about her upcoming projects, she admitted to having “private ambitions” she hopes to pursue beyond the cobbles.
Dee-Dee’s Exit: “It’s Right for Her Journey”
As for how Dee-Dee’s story will end, Channique stayed tight-lipped. “How it ends is right for her journey,” she teased, suggesting an emotional and fitting farewell for one of Corrie’s most loved modern characters.
No official air date has been confirmed for Dee-Dee’s final episode, but her departure is expected to bring heartfelt moments for the Bailey family and fans alike.