Coronation Street's Debbie Webster is set for a special Christmas this year before actress Sue Devaney departs her role in 2027. Teasers shared with the ECHO and other press reveal what's coming up for the fan-favourite character in the next few months.
Sue has been a familiar face on the cobbles since she first appeared in June 1984 when she was just a teenager. The Manchester-born actress has brought Debbie to life over the years. Debbie is a friend to everyone, forming bonds with the women in Weatherfield and, of course, as the bubbly and outgoing owner of the Chariot Square hotel.
After taking a break from the cobbles, the actress returned in 2019 and has made a strong name for herself as one of the most vibrant personalities the street has to offer. Sue and Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks have shared with the ECHO what fans can expect over the next few months.
'I feel so lucky'
Debbie was diagnosed with early onset dementia earlier this year and fans will be devastated when her exit scenes air next year. She is set to continue filming on set until mid-2027, although an official last episode date is yet to be confirmed.
In an interview with the ECHO, Sue said she feels privileged to be playing Debbie after more than 40 years. She said: "I feel really lucky. It's not often you play a character at 16 and you're playing her again at nearly 60.
"I get to tell her life story which is really interesting. Especially because I'm playing a part where she's got a terminal illness, she is reflecting on all her past."
Christmas on the cobbles
Looking ahead to the next few months, the actress added: "I think it's going to be a very special Christmas because it's the first time she's having Christmas with her son, Carl. I think it's going to be very special. She's going to make the most of every day until she can't."
Producer Kate, who hails from Liverpool, explained a one-off episode will air over the festive period, filmed from Debbie's point of view. She told the ECHO and other press: "We've got some really special stuff coming up with Debbie. Sue is incredible. Every single episode I see I am just completely blown away.
"We've got a really special episode coming up over the Christmas period which is a POV episode. It's insanely good and powerful. This one is a performance like you've never seen before."
Sue added: "Well you don't see me but you see what Debbie sees." Kate said: "There's a slight decline in Debbie's dementia and we will start to get the tough parts as the family rally around her. Her friends and family will become key ingredients into rallying around her and making sure she is OK and she is supported.
"There will still be laughs, there will still be fun along the way. But we are getting to the stage now where it's getting a bit more serious."
Special episode celebrates female friendships
It's been an emotional time on the soap in recent weeks, with Debbie announcing she wants to hand over her ownership of the hotel to husband Ronnie (Vinta Morgan). A special episode aired on Monday this week which saw Debbie enlist the help of her closest friends. Abi, Bernie, Christina, Sally and Glenda gathered at Debbie's flat. The group discussed their personal struggles and found strength and comfort in a sense of togetherness.
Asked what makes female friendships so special, Sue told the ECHO: "It's their sense of humour. We just have an ability to laugh at things in the face of adversity. You can be saying the saddest thing, but laughing your heads off two minutes later.
"I think what keeps that bond with these kind of women is that they are down to earth and their sense of humour. They're real, there's no falseness. I think with a strong Northern woman you see straight through them."
Speaking about the episode which celebrated the women of Weatherfield, producer Kate said: "What makes Coronation Street so special are these really strong, funny, complicated, messy Northern women who you know and love. When you look back at the women over the course of 66 years, every single era has got these standout characters that are the driving force."
Kate added: "I love this episode so much because each individual character is going through so much, they've got their own trauma and issues going on, but the friendship and the laughter is the thread that keeps them together. I wanted to dedicate a whole episode to these women and these stories. No stunts, it's just about their relationship and what it's like being in a female friendship group."
Coronation Street airs weekdays at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
