Viewers expressed their concerns over the powerful storyline
Coronation Street fans claimed Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) would make a “fantastic” landlady for the Rovers Return. They described her exit storyline, which has already started playing out on-screen, as a “massive error.” Drama continued on the cobbles on Monday as Ryan’s concerns about Debbie began to grow after an incident at the hotel.
At The Chariot Square, a guest was making a complaint but a hot-headed Debbie was quick to bite back rudely. Ryan watched as the guest started to record Debbie who was shouting at the customer.
Worried that the footage would be posted online, Ryan managed to talk his way out of the situation and offered the guest free spa vouchers in return for her deleting the video.
Debbie felt a sense of relief, knowing that Ryan had defused the situation. As a way to say thank you, Debbie embraced her colleague and gave him a kiss on the lips. Debbie walked away, leaving Ryan stunned.
Elsewhere, Debbie bumped into Carl in Roy’s Rolls and saw him looking a bit worse for wear. She soon realised he had been beaten up and offered him money to help him.
Meanwhile, Ryan opened up to Ronnie about the kiss. He told him it could be related to Debbie’s early-onset dementia. Later in the episode, Ryan and Ronnie confronted Debbie, who brushed off the whole situation, claiming the kiss was “nothing.”
Debbie was diagnosed with dementia earlier this year and started to push her family and friends away in a bid to deal with the diagnosis on her own. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Debbie discovered that her illness is incurable and she will eventually die.
The hard-hitting storyline will see Debbie embark on her own health journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and her family.
Debbie first graced the Cobbles in 1984 as Kevin’s sister, played by Michael Le Vell. After departing in 1985, she made a dramatic comeback in 2019. Taking the reins of The Chariot Square hotel not long ago, Debbie has quickly become a beloved character with viewers.
Following Monday’s episode of the ITV soap, Coronation Street fans described her exit storyline as a big “mistake.” Taking to social media, one fan wrote: “I don’t want Debbie to leave. Hate this storyline.”
A second said: “Still think it’s a massive mistake to get rid of Debbie.” A third also agreed: “Why have they got rid of Debbie she keeps this show going!”
After seeing Debbie take control of the hotel, another viewer suggested Debbie would make a great landlady for the Rovers Return. On X, they said: “Debbie would have made a fantastic landlady at the Rovers …. Writers massive error in 2025.”
Actress Sue Devaney recently appeared on ITV’s Lorraine show to talk about her character’s powerful storyline. She said: “I didn’t know a lot about it [dementia] and it’s only now that it’s brought it to me, what it’s about and also the different kinds of dementia.”
Fans were disappointed to hear the news that Sue will bid farewell to the cobbles. However, Sue has exclusively revealed that “she’s not going anywhere” just yet.
Viewers have two more years of Debbie gracing our screens. Sue said: “I love playing her she’s outrageous.” The 57-year-old soap star added: “The story is going to go on well into 2027 so Debbie’s not going anywhere.”
Coronation Street producers are working closely with Dementia UK on this long-term storyline which will explore the effects of young-onset dementia on Debbie and those close to her.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1
