Stephanie Davis has branded herself the “comeback queen” after taking a year out to sort out her personal life.
The 27-year-old actress, who left Hollyoaks after splitting from co-star Owen Warner in autumn 2019, announced she’s ready to return to the spotlight after her well documented battle with booze.
Steph, who is mum to three-year-old son Caben-Albie with her abusive ex Jeremy McConnell, said she needed time out to “figure out this crazy thing called life” in the wake of her rehab stint.
Sharing Instagram snaps of herself playing with Caben in the snow, the soap star wrote: “Hi everyone. Firstly if like to say Thank you to all my followers & to my supporters for your constant support!
(Image: stephaniedavis/Instagram)
“I would like to thank you for supporting me and respecting my decision when I wanted to take a year out of the industry & public eye. I’d also like to say a big Thank you to my family & by family I also mean my best friends too.
“I have been in the industry for over 10 years, the whole time trying to figure out this crazy thing called LIFE & trying to do that In front of a camera lens & behind a character I have played for many years..was difficult.”
She went on: “You have watched me grow up on TV, go through hard times, learn my biggest lessons, you watched me find who I really am, become a mother and grow as a parent and as a person. You have watched me suffer with my mental health & addiction , but then come through the other side & reach my goals like winning Best Actress.
(Image: Getty Images)
“They don’t call me the come back queen for nothing! After over 10 years of madness I needed to take a year to be there for my son & my self. I am so grateful I had that time, it’s been an amazing over a year of dating my self and spending quality time with my son & loved ones. The good thing is…I’m now BACK ( and this time for good! ).”
Steph continued: “Over the past year I’ve been working hard on my music, I’ve wrote an album, got my own clothing line which is dropping THIS SUMMER, my book and sorting some exciting tv work later this year & more! I’ve been working so hard behind the scenes and can’t wait to share it with you all.
“Thank you for giving me that time I needed. I can’t wait to share with you my life again and follow me on this new journey of self discovery. All my love, Stephanie X.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Her post was instantly flooded with messages of support, with one fan telling her: “Life isn’t easy but you’re gonna smash 2021! love yoooou x.”
Another wrote: “You are a true inspiration Steph,you go girl.”
And a third told her: “Everyone needs that time out, and I can’t imagine how hard it is when you are in the public eye. Glad you are coming back with a bang! Can’t wait to see this clothing line. Will you be coming back to Hollyoaks? Xx.”
Steph first found fame in the BBC reality show Over The Rainbow with Andrew Lloyd Webber at the age of just 17, before winning the part of Sinead O’Connor in Hollyoaks.
(Image: stephaniedavis88/Instagram)
She was initially dropped from the soap in 2015 after turning up drunk on set, followed by years of instability owing to her dramatic on-off relationship with McConnell, who was convicted of beating her.
In 2018 after finding sobriety she was rehired to the soap, but announced again in June 2020 she was leaving the Channel 4 show again.
“Sometimes we make decisions based not on what we want but what we know is right!” she said at the time.
“I have loved bringing Sinead into your homes for the past ten years but it’s with a heavy heart I have decided to leave Hollyoaks and now looking forward to working on new and exciting projects. Excited!”