CORRIE-ING ON Coronation Street writer reveals Debbie Webster’s heartbreaking dementia storyline still has ‘YEARS’ to run despite axe

A CORONATION Street writer has revealed that Debbie Webster will be on the cobbles for years to come – despite her heartbreaking dementia battle.

The ITV soap was hit by a major fan backlash last year when it was reported that Debbie Webster actress Sue Devaney had been axed, three decades after joining the show.

The report revealed that Debbie would be diagnosed with dementia in a heartbreaking exit storyline.

However, more than a year on, it has become clear that the soap is playing the story in a realistic and long-form way with Debbie’s journey taking years and not being rushed through.

Now award-winning writer Jonathan Harvey has confirmed that Debbie’s story has years to play out still, in what will be a joyful reveal for viewers.

Posting a picture of the cast from Monday night’s episode, Jonathan captioned it: “The Unusual Suspects! I’ve written the second half of tonight’s Corrie, and very proud of it I am too.

“Debbie and her best girlfriends down a few cocktails and have a scream and bond. So lovely to have been given an episode celebrating female friendship and to be able to play it with all these brilliant Corrie women.

“As Debbie’s dementia progresses over the next few years she’s going to need the strength of Debbie’s Angels to steer her through.”

Sue recently opened up about her shock at being told she would be leaving Coronation Street.

Sue told us: “The thing with life is you end up thinking one thing and then it pulls you another way

“I was quite happy at Corrie as I’d just got married last year and I knew I didn’t want to go on tour and do all that sort of stuff anymore and at Corrie I’m with all my mates.

“This was the next closest thing to a normal job.

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“So I loved being here for that but then Kate the producer did come and say ‘look we’ve got this storyline’.”

Despite not being in her sights to leave, Sue took it in her stride, telling us: “I had to think, ‘I’m an actor and I want to act’.

“And this then became a perfect opportunity to really do that.”

Sue also revealed she had been touched by all the supportive comments when it was confirmed she would eventually be leaving the soap.

The actress admitted to The Sun that she was overwhelmed by the response but took comfort in the huge reaction.

Sue said: “I felt so overjoyed as it meant that I’d been doing something right. I’ve put all my mums-isms into Debbie and all of her unique sayings so that has been so special to see people go, ‘oh we love that northern Debbie.

“She is hard-hitting and it has been so lovely to see the audience have taken to her.”