Coronation Street star Sue Devaney has opened up about the emotional reality of leaving her long-running role as Debbie Webster, admitting she will miss the set and her co-stars as her time on the ITV soap draws to a close.
The actress, from Ashton-under-Lyne, first took on the role more than three decades ago when she was 16 years old. Debbie originally moved to Coronation Street as a 15-year-old in 1984, with Sue the only actress to have ever portrayed the character, first from 1984 to 1985. She reappeared on the cobbles in 2019 before making a full-time return in 2020.
Dementia storyline and recent scenes
In scenes aired last year, Debbie was seen growing concerned about her memory loss and booked an appointment at a private clinic, believing her symptoms may be related to the menopause. However, after discussing a series of incidents, shown as flashback scenes, including a blackout and fall, the doctor advised her that he wanted her to have further tests as he was concerned that she was showing symptoms of early-onset vascular dementia.
Since then, Corrie has documented the progress of Debbie's diagnosis, including the impact of being wrongly imprisoned for the death of Weatherfield vicar Billy Mayhew in a multi-vehicle crash which involved guests from her and Ronnie Bailey's wedding being held in Yorkshire.
In recent weeks and months, Debbie's behaviour has continued to be of concern to her husband and her loved ones. Fans recently saw the beloved character think she was back in the 80s working as a hairdresser, and slap her brother Kevin after thinking he was bad-mouthing Carl to Steve McDonald and Ross Wilkes.
Last week, she also became confused while looking for Carl, after he failed to meet her where they had originally agreed. Debbie bumped into Sam Blakeman, who pointed her in the direction of the Rovers. But what Debbie didn't know was that Eva Price was lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs in the cellar, having been knocked down by Sam. Debbie ended up finding Eva, and, keen to get help, she headed outside, only to get knocked into by some teens, leaving her in the middle of the street, confused. Carla Connor-Swain spotted Debbie as she returned from the Chariot Square Hotel with her Underworld colleagues, heading over, Carla spotted Debbie's state and offered to walk her home.
Future plans and emotional farewell
As Debbie's memory deteriorates, it's reported that she'll remain on-screen until the summer of 2027, which is when Sue's contract is expected to come to an end. Ahead of her on-screen departure, the soap star has shared that she is yet to have any future plans in mind.
"I have no idea, because I think, for me, I just like to keep it in the day," she told The Sun. "As an actor I'm probably gonna be here until next year. So you've got a year's work. Well, for any actor, that's amazing. If somebody said... you've got a theatre job for a year, you don't think: 'Oh, I'm gonna think about after that'. I know it's coming to an end, but you just think it's a year."
"What happens after a year? I don't know what I'm doing after I've done where I am. Nobody knows – we just have to make the best of every day, don't we?"
She heartbreakingly added: "Sometimes, I do sit on the set now, like, this morning, I sat on the set this morning with all my girlfriends, Sally Dynevor, Jodie Prenger, and Amy Robbins, and I just thought, 'Oh, I'll really miss this.'"
