Nikki Sanderson
Nikki Ann Sanderson (born 28 March 1984 in Blackpool, Lancashire) is an English actress and glamour model who is best known for playing Candice Stowe in the television soap opera Coronation Street. During her time at Coronation Street and since, she has also forged a career as a glamour model and television presenter on programmes such as CD:UK, Junior Eurovision and Ministry of Mayhem.
Career
Sanderson joined Coronation Street in 1999 and left in Autumn 2005, when her character left Weatherfield to become a stylist for Status Quo. Prior to this, she had appeared in children's drama Children's Ward and in 2004, the hit fitness DVD Coronation Street - Funk fit.
Since leaving Coronation Street she has appeared in episodes of the BBC television series' Holby City and New Street Law alongside fellow Coronation Street alumni Chris Gascoyne and Chris Bisson. British newspaper The Daily Express stated that she was in the runningto replace Billie Piper as the Doctor's companion in Doctor Who, however Freema Agyeman was chosen for the role. In 2006, Sanderson appeared in a touring production of The Vagina Monologues with Jerry Hall amongst others and an episode of Kay Mellor's Strictly Confidential.
A naturally gifted vocalist, Sanderson loves to show this side of herself off; jumping up to sing at every opportunity, she is a self-confessed karaoke enthusiast. She has made several television appearances singing, most notably on ITV's Madonna Mania, Discomania, Abba Mania 2 and Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes, where her impression of LeAnn Rimes, singing the smash hit theme from the film Coyote Ugly, 'Can't Fight The Moonlight' earned her the winner's spot. She has also appeared on The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars in the solo 16-24 category, mentored by Sharon Osbourne where she was eliminated fifth. Sanderson was though suffering from tonsillitis at the time and was straining her voice to sing.
She has appeared in several British men's magazines in lingerie and other provocative outfits. She has appeared on the cover of Loaded magazine and in August 2005, the cover of Maxim magazine and in June 2006 the cover of FHM as the headlining feature of the issue, combining a photo shoot and exclusive interview with one of the magazine's journalists.
For 2006 and 2007, she was signed up by hip sports fashion footwear brand KangaROOS to head up their high-profile new print advertising campaign. She will shortly be seen in the new independent film Clubbed and in episodes of Cold Blood for ITV and The Afternoon play for BBC One.
In June 2007, it was reported that Sanderson would make a brief return to Coronation Street in Autumn 2007, when her character, Candice Stowe, turns up during the build up to another characters wedding. However these reports were later dismissed by Sanderson during an appearance on ITV's Loose Women due to "scheduling problems".
She appeared in the "Tuareg Productions" play Living under one roof at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from 26 - 30 June 2007.
She appeared in the second series of All Star Family Fortunes which aired on 25 December 2007.
In 2008 she joined the cast of the ITV1 series, Heartbeat, set in the 1960s, to play the part of Dawn Bellamy.
Nikki has also played the part of Audrey in the new straight-to-DVD film Boogeyman 3 due for release in 2009.
