FORMER Hollyoaks actress Rachel Adedeji is making her TV comeback in an upcoming series called Champion.
The talented singer and actress, 30, previously played Lisa Loveday on the Channel 4 soap, but left the role in 2020.
Rachel is making her TV comeback in the new series, Champion
Rachel pictured during her time on Hollyoaks – she quit the soap in 2020
At the time, Rachel spoke out about a series of racist incidents that happened backstage on the show – and was backed up by other cast members.
The star accused Hollyoaks of being “performative and disingenuous” before listing the show’s shortcomings and said “systematic changes must be put into practice”.
Her comments led the show to launch an investigation, and a number of Rachel’s co-stars came out in support.
The soap has issued a statement saying: “Hollyoaks has zero tolerance on racism. We are taking Rachel Adedeji’s comments extremely seriously and are investigating.”
Now, the star has just been announced as the latest cast member for upcoming BBC and Netflix drama, Champion.
The musical drama has a star-studded cast, and will be a “celebration of black music”.
Currently in production, the eight-part series will see Rachel show off her singing abilities, which we all saw during her time on The X Factor in 2009.
She will also star alongside her former Hollyoaks co-star, Karl Collins.
Déja J Bowens will be making her TV debut, and more well-known faces such as Top Boy star Malcolm Kamulete, Doctor Who legend Jo Martin, and His Dark Materials actor Ray Fearon will star.
Singer Ray BLK is also in the series, as is Sherwood’s Nadine Marshall.
Other cast member include Francis Lovehall, Corey Weekes, Kerim Hassan, Adeyinka Akinrinade and Tom Forbes.
Best-selling author Candice Carty-Williams is the brains behind the series, which will follow the story of two siblings’ rivalry.
Vita (Bowens) and Bosco (Kamulete) are both talented musicians, but their ambitions risk upending their family life.
Candice says of the show: “Champion is a celebration of Black music and of a Black family, however fragmented that family might be, and I can’t wait for the world to see their story.
“Since I knew what music was, I’ve loved grime and UK rap and neo-soul, to the point of obsession, and to bring to BBC One and iPlayer in the UK and Netflix globally a series that gives these genres of music life and texture is my dream, as is working with some of the best producers and songwriters making music today to create original tracks for the show.”
Set in South London, the show will consist of eight 45-minute episodes and will feature original music, written by some of the top artists in the country.
Champion is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK and on Netflix across the world.
Malcolm Kamulete plays one of the leading roles in Champion
Déja J Bowens makes her debut as one of the leading characters
