Coronation Street star Channique Sterling-Brown has confirmed an “exciting” new project ahead of her exit from the soap. The actor, who plays Dee-Dee Bailey, announced her surprising departure back in October, after three years on the cobbles.

Recent episodes have seen Dee-Dee deciding to take a new job in Singapore, despite her current co-parenting arrangement with her brother James. The lawyer first broke up with her boyfriend Ollie Driscoll, before revealing her relocation plans to her devastated family.

Dee-Dee’s exit will air in tonight’s episode (Friday, 19 December) as she and her daughter Laila head off on their fresh start. But will her exit go smoothly or could heartbroken James throw a spanner in the works?

Appearing on Lorraine yesterday, Sterling-Brown addressed her upcoming departure from the soap and shared what’s next on her professional agenda.

“I’m writing a play for the Hope Mill Theatre with Her Productions. We’re working with a charity called Her Place and it’s really important work about social care and women whose children get taken into social care, how they’re supported,” she told presenter Lorraine Kelly.

“So, I’m writing a really, hopefully exciting play, talking about family law – so kinda still got the lawyer angle going on. But yeah, I’m really excited for that. That will be on in March.”

When asked what her dream role would be away from Corrie, the star shared that she would love to play a villainous character, such as Lady Macbeth – a complete contrast from kind-hearted Dee-Dee.

Speaking about her final scenes on the soap, Sterling-Brown admitted to nabbing “a lot” of Dee-Dee’s “extensive wardrobe”, including her ‘D’ necklace, which she took as a “little memento”.

She added: “I really wanted my Princess Diana magnet, ’cause she’s named after Princess Di. But the magnet was on the set. I think they hid it from me, to be honest. I think they knew.”

Meanwhile, the actor’s exit doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of Dee-Dee, as the fan-favourite character could possibly make a return in the future.

“It was very, very kind of the team to leave the door open for me and I love that she still exists somewhere. She’s living her best life,” said Sterling-Brown.