Nikki Ann Sanderson (born 28 March 1984 in Blackpool, Lancashire) is an English actress 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.
Sanderson joined Coronation Street in 1999 and left in Autumn 2005. 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, Sanderson 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 running[citation needed] to 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. Recently 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 recently appeared on The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars in the solo 16-24 category, mentored by Sharon Osbourne where she was eliminated 5th. (It must be said, however, that Sanderson was suffering from tonsillitis at the time and was straining her voice to sing.) Despite the exit from the show, she hopes to perhaps one day pursue a music career.
She has appeared in several British men's magazines in lingerie and other provocative outfits. Sanderson 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, Sanderson has been 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 ITV1 and The Afternoon play for BBC1.
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 ITV1's Loose Women due to "scheduling problems".
She will appear in the "Tuareg Productions" play Living under one roof at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham from 26 - 30 June 2007.
In 2007, Sanderson was chosen as the annual 24 hour Famine Celebrity Ambassador, for World Vision UK, a Christian relief and development organization. As part of her role she visited the Keembie community in Zambia who will benefit from the fund raising effort.
She has dated her Coronation Street co-star Danny Young, although their current relationship status is unknown.
