Corrie’s Dee-Dee star Channique Sterling-Brown’s life off-screen – failed audition to famous pals

Actress Channique Sterling-Brown is best known for portraying Dee-Dee Bailey in ITV’s Coronation Street, but what do we know about the actress away from the cameras?

Channique Sterling-Brown joined the cast of Coronation Street as Dee-Dee Bailey in 2022 and has become a firm favourite among soap fans. The character is set to take centre stage over the coming weeks, as her relationship with Joel Deering (Calum Lill) features in one of the soap’s major storylines.

Dee-Dee and Joel are engaged and in the midst of planning their wedding. However, Dee-Dee is unaware her boyfriend has fathered a child with Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton), who he has been manipulating and abusing.

Away from the cameras, Channique, 27, lives a life far less dramatic than her on-screen persona. Here, OK! takes a look into the actress’ life off-screen…

**Channique plays Dee-Dee Bailey in Coronation Street** (Image: ITV)

**The actress enjoys getting glammed up and heading out with pals**

Channique’s social media account is littered with fun photos from holidays and nights out, as well as snaps with her Coronation Street co-stars. The actress looks to be very close to her fellow soap stars, especially Tanisha Gorey, who plays Asha Alahan.

Tanisha and Channique headed on a sun-soaked holiday together towards the end of July. The two actresses could be seen enjoying days at the beach and evenings in lavish restaurants while holidaying in Mallorca.

Channique also appears to be an avid runner, having joined her co-stars on the Manchester 10k Great Run back in May. She shared a celebratory post from the event, which the stars ran to raise money for charity.

**She is close pals with co-star Tanisha Gorey**

She was joined by Peter Ash, Colson Smith, Calum Lill, Elle Mulvaney, Luca Toolan and others at the run. Channique shared: “We did it My second @great_run Manchester 10k in the bag by the grace of God! Thank you to all those who have donated and supported us all. The atmosphere today is a reminder of why I love this city so much & chuffed to have shaved 7 mins off last year’s time!”

Channique moved to Manchester in 2018 after graduating from the University of Central Lancashire with a BA Honours in Acting. She volunteers at her local Samaritans branch in the city and also sings in a band at her local church.

**Channique is pals with many fellow Corrie stars**

She once auditioned for the role of Naomi Walters in Emmerdale, but the role was given to Karene Peter. Later that same year, she auditioned for the role of Dee-Dee in Coronation Street.

This marked Channique’s first major TV role. She was nominated for an award at the British Soap Awards just months after making her soap debut, and has gone on to receive two further awards nominations.