Coronation Street star Channique Sterling-Brown has emotionally opened up about her exit from the long-running show having filmed her final scenes.

The actress made her TV debut in the role of Dee-Dee Bailey in 2022, the much-talked about daughter of Ed and Aggie Bailey who had arrived on the cobbles three years earlier, with sons Michael and James.

Dee-Dee, whose actual name was Diana, quickly became a fan-favourite amongst viewers, going on to win Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards in 2023.

It was last month that Channique took to social media telling fans of her plans to depart Weatherfield, taking to social media to say: “After three whirlwind years of Dee-Dee Bailey, I’ve decided to say farewell to the cobbles.

“Bittersweet to be saying goodbye, but I am so excited for pastures new and enjoying the end of playing Princess Diana and her many expressions.”

Now, Channique has opened up for the first time about her decision to leave, saying that while she was offered another year-long contract, she thought it was time for pastures new.

Choking back tears as she shared that she will miss the character and shared how she came to the decision to exit, the soap star told the Manchester Evening News and other press: “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.”

But it was clear she was loved by those she worked with, as there was a hope she would stay. On telling soap bosses, Channique admitted: “It was so nerve-racking. I remember I was asking if I could chat to Kate [Brooks – producer] 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.”

As for the future, Channique said she wants to explore her career and take on new challenges, including a possible return to 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. I don’t really have a wish list, but I do have private ambitions, which I’ll keep.”