Devoted Coronation Street fans have expressed their dismay, branding a major character's departure storyline a complete 'disaster'. The upset followed Tuesday's episode, which saw lawyer Dee Dee Bailey announce her sudden plans to leave Weatherfield for good.
Dee Dee's Sudden Singapore Plans
In the episode, which aired on Tuesday 16th December due to a schedule change for the Carabao Cup, Dee Dee – played by actress Channique Sterling-Brown, 28 – revealed she had been offered a new job. After a hesitant lunch with her father Ed and brothers at the Bistro, she disclosed the position was located in Singapore.
The news sparked immediate conflict within the Bailey family. Her brother James was furious, questioning how moving a baby to a foreign country could be in her best interests. He angrily reminded Dee Dee that he had been there to support her and her daughter, baby Laila, who was born in March. The confrontation left James in tears in the pub toilets, texting his on-off lover Carl Webster for solace.
Viewer Backlash on Social Media
As the plot unfolded, viewers took to social media to voice their strong opinions on the character's exit arc. Many found the premise hard to believe and criticised the writing.
One fan wrote: "Losing Dee Dee but keeping the rest of the Baileys is such a disaster." Another questioned the logic: "So Dee dee has been a solicitor in New York, Weatherfield and now Singapore. Where next Seaham Harbour?"
Further criticism focused on the practicality of the move. A third viewer commented: "I like Dee Dee but I wish this new job was a bit more believable. She is going to Singapore alone, no support, with a baby." A fourth added sceptically: "Dee Dee never spends any time with her kid now... she'll probably never see her in Singapore. She'll be fobbed off to a nursery or nanny."
Actress Explains Emotional Decision to Leave
The storyline confirms the real-life departure of actress Channique Sterling-Brown, who joined the iconic soap in 2022. In an emotional interview with The Mirror, the actress explained her reasons for leaving, stating she made the decision in the spring after careful thought.
"I made the decision in spring, and it wasn't a rash decision," she said. "I really took a couple of months... I felt really torn, but I really just had the sense that it just felt like the time."
Led by her faith, Channique stated she felt she had "achieved what I was sent here to do" and that it was "time to be brave" and pursue new roles. She became tearful discussing how much she would miss playing Dee Dee, reflecting on the character's journey from a ditsy newcomer to a strong, resilient woman who faced challenges including her father's gambling addiction.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
