Coronation Street spoilers confirm that Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) faces a new threat as her former prison enemy Paula returns to target her. The sinister character, played by Emmerdale's Kelli Hollis, is set to reappear next week at the worst possible time for Debbie.
Debbie's Ongoing Struggles
Debbie has been battling vascular dementia, a condition that has worsened since her time in prison. Her son Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) caused a multi-car pileup by driving drunk and emotionally blackmailed Debbie into taking the blame, leading to her imprisonment. The time away from her routine and husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) accelerated her decline into confusion and disorientation.
Although Carl has recently been giving his mother less grief, the damage remains. Debbie is losing herself to dementia by the day, and it is affecting her intimacy with Ronnie.
Paula's Return
During her time inside, Debbie got on the wrong side of fellow inmate Paula, who was doing time for aggravated burglary. The pair had previous beef when Debbie threw Paula out of the Chariot Square Hotel bar for being disorderly. When Paula barged into Debbie's cell in tears after being dumped by her boyfriend, Debbie tried to comfort her but ended up mocking the man due to her lack of filter caused by dementia. This triggered Paula to physically lash out at Debbie and bully her inside.
When Debbie was released from prison, she thought she had seen the back of her cellmate from hell. She thought wrong.
Hotel Chaos
In next week's episodes, at the hotel, Debbie gives Denise, a bride-to-be, a guided tour and confirms that her wedding is booked for July. When Denise reveals that she requested 26th June, Debbie is horrified to realise she has messed up the dates.
When Carl delicately suggests that maybe Ryan (Ryan Prescott) should handle the bookings from now on, Debbie agrees with resignation. In the hotel bar, as Carl and Ronnie talk, Debbie approaches and gives Ronnie short shrift, given how awkward things are between them at home due to troubles in the bedroom. Debbie is so distracted by her marital woes that she does not notice her ex-con enemy Paula nearby, watching her like a hawk.
