Coronation Street star Sue Devaney is said to be ‘furious’ over soap bosses’ decision to kill off her character Debbie Webster after 40 years.
Last month, Metro exclusively revealed that the fan-favourite will receive a heartbreaking dementia diagnosis in the coming months, that will dominate storylines throughout 2025.
‘It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline’ a source told us.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’
Debbie first appeared on the cobbles in 1984, though only lived at No. 11 Coronation Street for six months before her dad Bill (Peter Armitage) sold up and moved to Southampton with his new wife.
In the intervening years she was often mentioned, though wouldn’t return on-screen until 2019. Her short reprisal proved popular and she was re-introduced the following year in a regular capacity – this time working with ruthless property tycoon Ray Crosby (Mark Frost).
Now it has been reported that the actress was reportedly ‘blindsided’ by the news she would be leaving.
A source told The Sun: ‘Sue was very shocked when she discovered she was being killed off.
‘She was initially very sad and then furious and then upset again. It’s taken her a long time to come to terms with it.
‘She had no intention to leave the show and couldn’t believe it when they called her in and broke the news.’
They continued: ‘Sue is a total professional and is already putting her all into what she sees as hugely important long running storyline.
‘She saw the positive impact of the MND storyline and hopes that her dementia story can have the same effect and raise awareness of the condition.’
Debbie won’t be the only much-loved character to be departing under Kate’s tenure as producer, as she teased earlier this month: ‘‘There are a few exits [in 2025], and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves.
The character returned in 2019 after a prolonged absence and became a fan-favourite (Picture: ITV/Danielle Baguley/REX/Shutterstock)
‘People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.’
But she also promised some big returns, with Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) staging a comeback in the coming weeks.
‘There are other familiar faces coming back in 2025 which I will not disclose, but a few people will be returning to cause their own forms of chaos’ she confirmed.
New characters will also be descending on the cobbles, with Kate revealing a ‘neighbours from hell’ scenario as a new clan moves in.
