The penny DROPS!

Coronation Street's CHANNIQUE STERLING-BROWN on Dee-Dee finally seeing Joel's true colours

- JOHNATHON HUGHES

Dee-Dee Bailey’s family affectionately call her ‘Princess Diana’, and the caring lawyer thought she’d found her prince when she met smooth-talking solicitor Joel Deering.

The couple are planning their fairy-tale wedding, but Joel (Calum Lill) is hiding his disturbing double life as a violent psychopath who grooms young women. Viewers know he was the one who attacked vulnerable teen Lauren Bolton and left her for dead, but Dee-Dee (Channique Sterling-Brown) has been in the dark – until this week when she learns the terrible truth.

The gripping plot has given Channique, 27, a chance to shine, and, here, in an exclusive chat with TV Times, the actor opens up about her Coronation Street journey so far, and reveals why she wants her character to turn bad – at least for a little while…

What’s it like to be at the centre of such a big storyline?

It’s been great, with a lot of hard work and long hours! We have an amazing team here and I’ve loved getting to work with so many of the cast. It all started with Roy and trying to get him off the murder charge – the pressure from everyone on the Street fell on her, and that integrated Dee-Dee into the community. That’s been a blessing as you get to learn so much from everyone.

Who have you learnt the most from?

I’m like a sponge, taking different things from all these brilliant actors. Working with David Neilson [who plays Roy Cropper] was brilliant; he has this amazing charisma and brings the character to life in such a great way. Tina O’Brien [who portrays Sarah Platt[ is such a natural, and I call Alison King [AKA Carla Connor] my ‘mama bear’ on set!

Do you feel more established now after almost two years in the show?