CORONATION Street star Channique Sterling-Brown has broken her silence after quitting the soap.

The actress – who plays Dee Dee Bailey in the ITV soap – will be soon filming her final scenes on the show that she’s appeared in for three years.

Now the star has broken her silence, saying: “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.”

Last week a source told Express.co.uk:  “Posters are up around the Corrie set behind the scenes, it is common knowledge that Channique is going, and cast have been informed.”

A source confirmed the news to The Sun, adding: “It was Channique’s decision to go and she told bosses some time ago.

“She’s hugely talented and ambitious and the world will be her oyster.”

The actress has been one of the soap’s biggest stars in the last few years, taking centre stage as her character became involved in villain Joel Deering’s exploits.

Dee Dee fought to expose evil Joel over his grooming and abuse of young women, shortly before his death.

She went on to give birth to his baby in traumatic circumstances, after deciding against having an abortion, only to be victim of medical negligence due to racism.

Dee Dee was forced to undergo a hysterectomy and later gave up her child Laila to her brother James to raise.

However months later she changed her mind and now the siblings co-parent the baby.

More recently she has developed a relationship with newcomer Ollie but he has sparked concern among fans with his behaviour around Weatherfield.