Soap fans know Nikki Sanderson best for her portrayal of Maxine Minniver on Hollyoaks, but long before she was a staple of the Channel 4 drama, 

she made her mark on Coronation Street as Candice Stowe. 

Now, as she prepares to step away from Hollyoaks, speculation has been growing about whether she could return to the cobbles.

The actress, who has spent over a decade playing Maxine, recently opened up about her future in the industry and whether she’d consider revisiting her roots in Weatherfield.

Open to a Coronation Street Return

Nikki first joined Coronation Street in 1999 as Candice, a role she played until 2005. 

Over the years, Candice became known for her cheeky personality, her close friendship with Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien), and her dreams of becoming a celebrity hairstylist. 

Though she eventually left Weatherfield to pursue a career styling a rock band, fans have never forgotten her.

Now, Nikki has admitted that she wouldn’t rule out a return to the show that helped launch her career. When asked about the possibility, she responded, “Never say never is my approach.”

She went on to express her love for both the character and the soap itself, saying, “I love Candice and I love Coronation Street, so I’d never close myself to anything if they did want me back in the future. That’s the exciting thing about this industry—you just never know what might happen next.”

Leaving Hollyoaks Behind

Nikki’s time on Hollyoaks has been nothing short of eventful. Since joining the show in 2012, she has tackled some of the soap’s most hard-hitting storylines, including domestic abuse, coercive control, and mental health struggles. Her portrayal of Maxine has won her widespread acclaim, but after more than ten years, she has decided to move on.

Describing her decision as “incredibly difficult,” Nikki admitted that stepping away from such a long-running role was a major life change. However, she felt it was the right moment to explore new opportunities.

As she re-enters the world of auditions, she acknowledged how much the industry has changed. “Now you have showreels and self-tapes, but I never had to do that before. You just went into a room with a casting director,” she explained.

Despite the challenges, Nikki remains optimistic about her future in the acting world. “I know how tough this industry is, and there’s always the possibility you’ll never work again. But I want to stay positive and see myself in some of the amazing productions out there. I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”

A Supportive Relationship

Away from her acting career, Nikki is enjoying life with her long-term partner, fellow actor Anthony Quinlan. The couple, who have been together for over three years, live in the North West and generally keep their relationship private.

However, Nikki couldn’t help but gush about her partner’s support as she navigates this career transition. “Anthony really is my rock. He’s been incredibly supportive of me in my tough decision to leave Hollyoaks.”

When asked about the possibility of marriage or children in the future, she remained coy but hinted at her happiness. “I’m in a wonderful, happy relationship, so let’s see what the future holds!” she said with a smile.

What’s Next for Nikki Sanderson?

With Hollyoaks now behind her, Nikki is ready for her next chapter. While she hasn’t confirmed any specific projects yet, she remains hopeful about landing exciting new roles. Whether that includes a return to Coronation Street as Candice remains to be seen, but the door is certainly open.

For now, fans will have to wait and see where Nikki’s next move takes her. But one thing is certain—whatever she does next, she’s sure to shine.

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