Coronation Street's Nikki Sanderson, 41, branded ‘unreal' as she strips off to a bikini

Scottish Sun

22-07-2025

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CORONATION Street's Nikki Sanderson has sent fans wild after stripping down to a bikini.
The actress, best known for playing Sarah Platt's former rival Candice Stowe, showed off her toned figure in a tiny two-piece while soaking up the sun abroad.
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Nikki Sanderson stunned fans with her age-defying looks and incredible physique
Credit: Getty
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The actress showed off her toned figure in a tiny two-piece bikini in her latest Instagram post
Credit: Instagram
Nikki, who has barely aged a day since her Weatherfield debut in the late '90s, posed with her hair swept back and a golden glow - leaving fans stunned by her age-defying looks.
One gushed: "Looking sensational Nikki."
Another added: "Incredibly gorgeous!!"
A third penned: "Insane physique."
This comes after the star quit Hollyoaks after 12 years.
The Sun revealed in February that Nikki was leaving the Channel 4 soap and had filmed her final scenes.
Having debuted in 2012, her character Maxine featured in some major storylines, including domestic violence and miscarrying a baby.
Maxine departed the village in a taxi, after making plans to escape the country alongside her daughter Minnie.
Speaking to The Liverpool Echo, Nikki shared: "It's the weirdest feeling because it's an end of an era.
"It's exciting but also really sad. It's hard to describe how I'm feeling about it.
Inside soap couple Nikki Sanderson and Anthony Quinn's romantic holiday in Mallorca
"It's going to be very different and I'm kind of getting used to it I guess. It's a different normal for me now."
Insiders previously revealed that Nikki had decided to move on to give herself more freedom to try other roles.
A source told The Sun: 'She met with bosses and told them of her plans to leave, she'd just turned 40 and felt the time was right to say goodbye to Maxine.
'She's keen to explore other opportunities and is excited to get back out there."
From Hollyoaks to Hollywood
James Corden played a caretaker in the early days of the soap.
The former American TV host doesn't have much positive to say about his time on the soap, claiming it was "hell on earth."
Since his short-lived time on the show he has gone on to bigger things including smash hit comedy Gavin and Stacey.
Rachel Shenton joined the soap as aspiring glamour model Mitzeee Minniver in 2010.
Over two years her character was sent to prison, got pregnant and had a number of romantic affairs.
Since leaving Hollyoaks she has won an Oscar for best live action short film, The Silent Child.
Rachel has also starred in White Gold and All Creatures Great and Small
Emmett J. Scanlan played gangster turned anti-hero Brendan Brady.
Emmett played the love interest of Steve Hayes, with their romance delighting fans until it turned violent.
Since his departure Emmett has appeared in Peaky Blinders, The Fall, Gangs of London and even appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy
Emma Rigby joined Hollyoaks when she was 15 as Hannah Ahsworth.
Hannah's eating disorder storyline was the first of it's kind on TV while other plots included being caught in a fire, gangland drug dealing and running away.
Since leaving the soap in 2010 Emma has gone on to star in ABCs Once Upon a Time in Wonderland as the Red Queen. Other roles include guest appearances in Death In Paradise, Ripper Street and Fresh Meat
Nico Mirallegro got his big break with Hollyoaks starring as emo Barry 'Newt' Newton.
Nico's main storyline in the soap was developing schizophrenia which culminated in a suicide pact.
He left the soap in 2010 and went on to star in My Mad Fat Diary, Our Girl, Rillington Place, The Ark and Common, Penance, as well as the Mike Leigh movie Peterloo and was nominated for a Bafta for his role in period drama The Village.
Ricky Whittle used Hollyoaks as a stepping stone to break America.
He played one of the soap's resident hunks, Calvin Valentine, from 2006 to 2011 - when he was killed off at his wedding.
After leaving the soap Ricky cracked America starring in teen drama The 100 and America Gods.
He also appeared in Strictly Come Dancing in 2009.
Warren Brown joined Hollyoaks in 2005 for a year as evil Andy Holt.
His stint on the show consisted of date rape storylines and a crime spree, before eventually being killed off.
After leaving Hollyoaks, Warren became a big hitter in TV playing DS Justin Ripley in Luther, as well as major roles in a number of dramas including Liar, The Responder, Homefront and Good Cop.
Wallis Day played Holly Cunningham in the soap for years before leaving.
In 2021 Wallis won the role of Batwoman in DC's series, taking over from Ruby Rose.
Fans have speculated Nikki could reprise her Coronation Street role as Candice Stowe.
She portrayed Sarah Platt's best friend in 400 episodes from 1999 to 2005.
But whatever the future does hold, Nikki says she grateful to have the support of boyfriend, fellow Hollyoaks alum, Anthony Quinlan, 40, who played Gilly Roach on the show from 2005 to 2011.
Nikki remains coy when it comes to discussing partner of three-and-a-half years, but she does admit she's never been happier - and won't rule out marriage and children with him.
She says: 'I don't like to talk too much about my personal life, but I will say I'm the happiest I've ever been, Anthony is incredible.
'I'm in a wonderful, happy relationship, so let's see what the future holds! Anthony really is my rock, he's been incredibly supportive of me in my tough decision to leave Hollyoaks.'
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Nikki played Candice in Coronation Street for six years
Credit: Rex Features
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She joined Hollyoaks in 2012 as Maxine Minniver
Credit: Lime Pictures
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She quit the soap after 12 years
Credit: Getty