Coronation Street legend ‘to be killed off’ 40 years after debut in devastating new storyline
A CORONATION Street icon looks set to be “killed off” as part of a harrowing new health storyline.
Debbie Webster, played by actress Sue Devaney, will die as part of a long-running new storyline that is set to take centre stage in the ITV soap opera for 2025 and beyond, according to reports.
The sister of Kevin Webster, who made her debut in the programme 40 years ago, will be diagnosed with dementia according to the Metro.
A source told the publication: “It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.”
They added that bosses are planning for her exit to go down in the history books with some of the most emotional scenes ever set to grace the soap.
The insider added: “It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
“There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.”
Whilst the storyline will kick off next year, it is believed that it will play out for a long time to come with Debbie remaining on screen until her death, likely beyond 2025.
Debbie originally joined the cast in 1984 at 15 years old but remained for only a year.
Actress Sue then reprised the role in 2019 and has remained with the programme ever since.
Debbie has become a firm favourite with fans over the past few years with many heralding her as one of the soap’s greatest comedy characters of recent years.
She is best known for being the owner of the Charriott Square Hotel and for her involvement with evil businessman Ray Crosby and his once planned takeover of the entire street.
News of her exit has so far sparked a mixed response among fans with many delighted that Debbie will be taking the forefront in the show for the foreseeable but left heartbroken that it will see her character come to an end.
Writing online, one fan said: “One of the most criminally underused characters on the show and now they’re killing her off. Massive mistake IMO.”
Someone else said: “Definitely mixed feelings. I just started watching Corrie, and she has become a favourite character for sure. I will love seeing her more on screen, but yeah.”
A third wrote: “Terrible decision to let her go.”
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
Before a fourth said: “Sue will absolutely nail this storyline and it gives Debbie, Kev and Abi a big storyline over 2025. Deb is kind of isolated but she always fits in anywhere and KB [Kate Brooks] was behind the Ashley dementia storyline. It will be a truly good storyline.”
News of the explosive new storyline comes after boss Kate Brooks teased a number of other epic plots set to hit the soap before Xmas.
Before Debbie’s exit, Corrie fans will wave goodbye to another show legend – Gail Platt.
The icon will say goodbye to the soap on Christmas Day with a big twist in store for viewers.
Speaking to The Sun and other media, new Coronation Street boss Kate said: “It’s very fun, it’s a very lively Christmas on the street, lots of bombshells are dropped.
“Obviously, this is set against Gail’s wedding, whether she goes through with that or not, I cannot tell anything.
“But this is a story with the Platts at the heart of it, it’s really festive, basically it’s a story about family and how secrets impact and implode on a family, so there’s a lot of betrayals, lots of secrets are exposed during this episode and it will like classic Corrie with a bit of a twist.”