19 hours Ago
Coronation Street favourite Sue Devaney has broken her silence following the news she will eventually be leaving the cobbles for good. It comes as Sue’s character Debbie Webster will eventually be written out of the ITV soap after being diagnosed with young onset dementia – a storyline which was revealed by The Metro late last year. Earlier this week, ITV premiered a dramatic new trailer giving viewers a first look at Debbie's dementia storyline.
Next week, Debbie grows concerned about her memory loss and books an appointment at a private clinic, believing her symptoms may be related to the menopause. Brand New Trailer: Debbie's Dementia. @ITV @WeAreSTV #Corrie pic.
twitter.com/RwGQVGvVNX — Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) April 1, 2025 Over the coming months and years the soap will follow Debbie’s journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and the family, the broadcaster shared. ITV explained: “After discussing a series of recent incidents, shown as flashback scenes, including a black out and fall, the doctor advises her that he wants her to have further tests as he is concerned she is showing symptoms of early onset vascular dementia.
“A shocked Debbie decides to keep the potential diagnosis to herself and initially says nothing to her friends and family.” Corrie's Sue Devaney breaks silence on dementia storyline But now speaking about her storyline for the first time, Sue said she felt “a mixture of things” when producer Kate Brooks told her about what the future holds for Debbie, as reported by The Metro . Sue commented: “She said we’ve got this brilliant story, and we want to give Debbie dementia.
And obviously, down the line, you don’t survive dementia. So I knew that the story would eventually come to an end and my character would come to an end. “There was a mixture of a lot of things.
This was my first job when I was 16 and I left after a year and now it will be coming to an end again. But I also realised this was a really important story to tell and is a really fantastic opportunity to act.’ Commenting on the reaction from viewers about Debbie’s diagnosis, she added: “It’s really lovely that Debbie is loved.
And I didn’t realise what people thought of Debbie, they love Debbie and that’s brilliant. But Debbie’s not going anywhere yet. “Debbie has been diagnosed and this is her journey.
The whole of the story is to see her journey, isn’t it? To see this journey and tell it. Soaps That Have Won the Most Awards “Viewers read things like, oh yeah, they’re killing Debbie off. Well, actually, it’s amazing that they’re giving Debbie this brilliant story.
” ITV has announced Corrie producers and the story team 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. Recommended reading: Coronation Street legend's 'surreal' last day after 25 years - final scenes filmed Corrie fans slam 'ludicrous decision' to 'axe' beloved character after 40 years Coronation Street star 'furious' after told 'she will be killed off' in 2025 Producer Kate said: “With one in two people being affected by dementia, we felt this was such an important story to tell for the simple reason that it resonates with so many people. “Having a character as vibrant as Debbie Webster, and an actor of Sue Devaney's incredible talent and calibre, at the heart of this storyline, was key to unlocking the many emotions that come with navigating this diagnosis.
“We're working closely with Dementia UK to ensure this story is told as truthfully and sensitively as possible - whilst never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis. “This is a story about family, about community, but ultimately this is a story about love, and how love can provide light, even through the darkest of times.”.
