ITV Coronation Street star to be killed off after 40 years in 'her final storyline'

A Coronation Street legend is set to be killed off - 40 years after her debut in a devastating new storyline. The ITV Coronation Street star Debbie Webster, played by actress Sue Devaney, will die as part of a long-running new storyline.

The soap icon will be diagnosed with dementia as part of a shock new plot. A source told Metro: "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."

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."

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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, and actress Sue then reprised the role in 2019 and has remained with the programme ever since.

In 2016, Emmerdale was praised by fans and dementia charities for its portrayal of the illness in a special episode.The episode was shown from the perspective of long-running character Ashley Thomas, played by John Middleton, who was living with dementia.

Cathy Baldwin, organisational development manager at the Alzheimer's Society, described it as a "realistic portrayal" of the condition. "I have no doubt it'll change people's perspective of dementia," she said. Emmerdale producers worked with both the Alzheimer's Society and MHA care homes to devise the storyline.

"When we were working on the story, the producers were very keen it was as true to life as it could be, which is quite difficult for a programme which is essentially a drama," Baldwin said. "Emmerdale had been keen to make sure that it reached people and let people affected by dementia know that they weren't alone."