Coronation Street's Channique Sterling-Brown has left fans stunned by confirming her departure from the ITV soap after three years of playing Dee-Dee Bailey. In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Sterling-Brown revealed the thoughtful process behind her decision, shedding light on her journey and the impact of her time on the show. But here's where it gets intriguing... She made the choice in the spring, not in a moment of impulsiveness. Instead, she took her time, considering her options and seeking guidance from her faith. 'I felt really torn, but I really just had the sense that it just felt like the time,' she shared. 'I found a real sense that I had done what I'd come to do, if that makes sense, not that I ever knew exactly what it was, but it just felt like I had achieved what I was sent here to do, so it was time to be brave.'
Her final scenes are set to air soon, and Sterling-Brown reflects on her time on the show with gratitude. She acknowledges the growth of both herself and her character, Dee-Dee, over the years. 'I've learned so much [and] hopefully I'm a better actor for it,' she said. 'I think she very quickly, like we saw her heart with her being with Paul a lot, and we saw her strength standing up to Adam. We saw her, you know, soft side with all the stuff with her dad and the gambling. She still has all these things I think she's definitely, obviously a bit worse for wear. But I think she's finding her way back to herself at the minute. I think that's really lovely.'
When asked about her favorite storyline, Sterling-Brown highlighted Dee-Dee's role in representing Roy Cropper in court. 'Getting to work with David [Neilson] that was just so brilliant, and he's just a legend. So I loved that.'
Looking ahead, Sterling-Brown is eager to explore new opportunities. 'I would love to get on the stage again. I'd love to do a film, I'd love to do a drama, I'd love to do some more comedy,' she shared. 'I’ve loved Dee-Dee and I’ve loved taking her on the journey, and it's just really exciting to find some new characters to fall in love with.'
But here's the controversial part... Some viewers might question her decision, wondering if she could have stayed and continued to grow her character. What do you think? Will you miss seeing Dee-Dee on Coronation Street? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
