Exclusive: Coronation Street confirms beautiful Christmas for Debbie ahead of big change

Coronation Street star Sue Devaney has revealed that there is a "beautiful" Christmas period ahead for her character Debbie Webster, ahead of a tragic change to her powerful dementia storyline.

Since her young on-set dementia diagnosis in 2025, the soap has followed Debbie and her loved ones as they adapt to her developing condition.

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We recently reported that as part of this storyline, there will be a special episode that explores the world from Debbie’s perspective, that Sue confirms will air after Christmas.

But speaking exclusively to us at Inside Soap, Sue also explains that while her character will have a joyous festive period this year, there are some heartbreaking times ahead in early 2027.

"I think Debbie takes a turn for the worse after Christmas," she reveals. "She has the most beautiful Christmas, and then from the New Year she goes downhill. I keep asking our producer Kate Brooks, ‘Is that is now? Is this where Debbie goes?’ But she says no, we’re still seeing Debbie as she is.

"Even with the people that I know with dementia, they might not remember things, but their personality is still there. I do wonder if Debbie will lose her personality completely, but I don’t know."

In recent weeks, Debbie and her husband Ronnie have faced some major challenges, with Ronnie struggling to cope with his wife’s deteriorating condition. Next week, the couple will sit down to make some difficult decisions about Debbie's future care.

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"I think it’s important to show it from both sides," Sue says on Debbie and Ronnie’s relationship. "I think that’s more of a realistic story to tell, to show it warts and all, from the side of how they’re coping as well. It doesn’t mean that you’ve stopped loving somebody, it just means that it’s hard.

"I love the way Corrie have written it. They put all the proper relationship stuff in, which is what you want to see in a couple. You want to see what they’re like at home, in their onesies and having a laugh together. That’s been really nice to see, and for us both to play."

To read our full exclusive chat with Sue about what’s next for Debbie, pick up the latest issue of Inside Soap, available to buy from Tuesday 3 November.

Coronation Streetairs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

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