The soap star spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview at the National Diversity Awards
Coronation Street’s Channique Sterling-Brown was thrilled to be back in Liverpool last night. The 27-year-old soap star was in attendance at the National Diversity Awards on Friday evening at the Anglican Cathedral.
The ceremony, which is now in its 13th year, celebrates the achievement of the positive role models who have promoted equality in today’s society. Channique presented the Community Organisation award for race/faith/religion and was honoured to be part of such an inspiring event.
She told the ECHO in an exclusive interview: “What’s so exciting is this opportunity to recognise people who have had such wonderful contributions to their communities and the people they represent.” The Dee Dee Bailey star loved the chance to return to Merseyside, which she said was the ideal home for the National Diversity Awards.
She said: “What a brilliant city to champion a night like tonight. To me, Liverpool represents unity, tolerance and community so I think that it’s the perfect venue for it. I first came here when I was 19 and I was like what incredibly kind, wonderful people and so embracing.”
Channique has played an important role in promoting diversity on screen as her character was part of Coronation Street’s first black family. The soap star told the ECHO how important it is to have representation on screen.
She added: “Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. I think for minorities and for people who are underrepresented in television and the arts being able to see something opens your mind more and widens your scope.”
Channique joined the cast of the ITV show in 2022 and has gone on to become one of the soap’s most important characters. It has been a turbulent time for Channique’s onscreen counterpart as Dee Dee becomes embroiled in Joel Deering’s reign of terror.
Dee Dee was all set to marry the Weatherfield villain before she finally rumbled his sinister web of lies. However, the storyline still continues after Joel disappeared from the Cobbles with DS Lisa Swain believing he may have taken his own life.
Dee Dee remains sceptical and thinks her former fiancee has faked his death and is still at large. Fans following the show on social media platform X are convinced Dee Dee is correct as user named Steve spotted a telling clue. He said: “Soap rule number 1- if we haven’t seen a body, they’re not definitely dead. Joel is still alive”
When asked about what’s coming up next in the storyline, Channique wasn’t giving much away, but suggested a twist could soon be on the horizon. She added: “Everything is not as it seems.
“That’s what I will say. There’s a lot coming up for Dee which we will see unfold in the next few weeks so that’s been brilliant.”
As the storyline looks set to continue, Channique heaped praise on her Corrie co-stars and said she is excited about her future as part of the Corrie cast. She said: “It’s been a busy year but it’s been so much fun.
“A lot of hard work but I’m really lucky to work with such brilliant people. I’m so glad the fans have enjoyed it they just have to stay tuned to see what’s next.”
Channique couldn’t be happier as part of the cast and harbours no plans of following Joel’s footsteps and exiting Weatherfield. She said: “Brilliant people. Brilliant cast, brilliant crew. And it’s just so special to do what you love everyday, but with such wonderful people.”
She added: “I’m just looking forward to Christmas. We’re filming Christmas at Corrie at the minute so already I’ve got Christmas on the brain.”
