Coronation Street’s Dee-Dee Bailey actress Channique Sterling-Brown has confirmed her exit from the ITV soap, and revealed her reasons for quitting after three years
00:00, 18 Oct 2025Updated 00:12, 18 Oct 2025
One Coronation Street star has addressed her exit from the show for the first time(Image: ITV)
One Coronation Street star has addressed her exit from the show for the first time, confirming she has quit the ITV soap after three years.
Dee-Dee Bailey actress Channique Sterling-Brown announced her departure to The Mirror and other press, explaining for the first time her reasons for stepping down from the role. Channique said it felt like the right time “to be brave” and try new roles, as she got tearful in her exit chat.
Becoming emotional, she revealed she would miss her character, as she explained her decision that she made months ago. She said: “I made the decision in spring, and it wasn’t a rash decision. You know, I really took a couple of months from being offered my next year contract to actually even respond.
“I felt really torn, but I really just had, you know, the sense that it just felt like the time. I feel like I’ve been so privileged, and I’ve got to tell some great stories, and it’s been so wonderful. And obviously I’m very led by my faith as well.
“So I just really took my time over it and prayed into it. And I think, yeah, 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.”
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Coronation Street’s Dee-Dee Bailey actress Channique Sterling-Brown has confirmed her exit(Image: ITV)
On telling soap bosses, she revealed Kate Brooks hoped she may change her mind. Channique said: “It was so nerve-racking. I remember I was asking if I could chat to Kate and it was like, ‘well we’re going into long-term conference next week, so if we could do the week after, but then she’s on holiday the next week so if we could do the week after that, and then we can give you an update’, and I was like ‘Oh gosh, no. I think I need to be seen now’.
“And they were like, ‘Is it an emergency’, and I was like, ‘It’s just time sensitive’. I was nervous to tell the bosses but they were super understanding and super supportive.
“Kate did definitely ask me to go and have an extra sleep on it over the weekend, but my mind had already been made up. They’ve been really supportive, which is lovely.” Channique also detailed how both she and her character had changed in the past three years since her TV debut.
Dee-Dee Bailey actress Channique Sterling-Brown announced her departure(Image: ITV)
She told us: “I think Dee-Dee has changed a lot. She’s been through a lot. She was so ditsy and all this stuff when she came. But 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. So I think, you know, she, she still has all those 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, where we see her on screen. She’s finding some happiness. She’s finding herself again. And I think that’s life, isn’t it? You obviously change and things shape you, but it’s how many times you get back up? That’s what counts.”
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On her personal changes, she went on: “I’ve changed too. I think I’ve learned so much. Hopefully I’m a better actor, for it. I’ve obviously got to learn from some of the best for literally three years.
“I just feel a bit older. It’s aged me being here after 500 episodes but in a great way. Your life suddenly changes so drastically, and that is quite a lot to navigate, but I’ve done my best. I think as part of that, I’ve just got to experience some amazing things and meet some amazing people. But also it’s really helped me know what’s important to me, and the things I’m passionate about.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .