Former Emmerdale star Charley Webb has opened up about her twin diagnoses of ADHD and autism, revealing how they affect her life and parenting. The actress, known for playing Debbie Dingle, shared her experiences on Luke Hamnett's podcast, Live, Laugh, Luke.
The Diagnosis and Noise Sensitivity
Late last year, Charley disclosed that she had been diagnosed with both Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. She says the diagnoses explain her lifelong sensitivity to noise, which is particularly challenging when caring for her three sons. “Sometimes when I get back and I've been away from them, I forget how loud they are. And it takes me so long to readjust. I'm really overstimulated 'cause they're just so loud,” she explained. “Noise is my biggest trigger. I can’t bear it.”
Parenting and Co-Parenting Arrangement
Charley shares her three children with former co-star Matthew Wolfenden, from whom she separated in November 2023. The couple has a week-on, week-off custody arrangement. While initially finding the separation difficult, Charley now appreciates the structure. “At first it was really hard. For 50% of the time I was like ‘Where are my children’? But now I'm living my best life … I’m so much better when I've had a week off from them. I can be a really good mum because I've had a break,” she said.
She also defends her hands-off parenting style, which she says fosters independence in her sons. “It's called character building. They don't get fed and they don't complain. I am like, ‘Get your takeaway. I've got to go… order what you want, I’m out’,” she added.
Understanding Her Neurodiversity
Charley reflects that her diagnoses have helped her understand herself better. “I think my autism is definitely stronger than the ADHD side. I think it's definitely more autism. But then even that I think is mild and I think everyone has this idea of autism like it's just one thing and it's really not,” she noted.
No Return to Emmerdale, New Drama Role
Despite her iconic role as Debbie Dingle, Charley has no immediate plans to return to the soap. “There's no plans for me to go back, just because I think it wouldn't be the right time and having three kids is a lot and also working there is a lot,” she stated. The character Debbie was last seen moving to Australia, leaving her daughter Sarah unaware of the move until a phone call about Sarah's cancer diagnosis.
Fans can look forward to seeing Charley on screen later this year in a six-part ITV drama called Adultery. Created by Danny Brocklehurst, the series follows two single parents whose forbidden affair puts their families at risk. Charley praised the cast, including Dominic Cooper and Shelley Conn, saying, “It's a great cast. I think it's going to be one of those things that people binge.”
