A Coronation Street writer has confirmed future plans for Debbie Webster amid her dementia storyline. The character was diagnosed with the condition earlier this year, leading to fan fears that she could be departing the cobbles soon.

However, writer Jonathan Harvey has assured viewers in an Instagram post that Debbie will remain on the soap for the “next few years”.

Following Monday evening’s episode, Jonathan shared an image of some of the cast including Debbie actor Sue Devaney.

“The Unusual Suspects! I’ve written the second half of tonight’s Corrie, and very proud of it I am too,” he captioned the picture. “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.”

He then added: “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.”

It comes after show boss Kate Brooks recently assured us that Debbie will remain on the soap for a while yet, confirming that she has “ages and ages” to go.

“We’re not galloping our way through the story at all,” she said at a press event. “We love Debbie. She is brilliant, so funny, so full of life and joy. There are so many stories that are happening around Debbie that are not dependent on her dementia. There are real family dramas that Debbie’s at the heart of.”

Brooks added: “This story is really in its infancy. Yes, there are some times when she will forget things, but she’s living with it. She’s not just a person who has dementia – she’s not defined by it at all. Her stories are not defined by it either, for a really long time. So we are just enjoying Debbie being Debbie.”