A painful off-screen revelation has rocked the Coronation Street cast, after one of its familiar faces reportedly learned her character would be written out in the most final way possible. While the soap prepares a major 2025 storyline, the real drama happened behind the cameras, and it left Sue Devaney deeply upset when she discovered Debbie Webster wouldn’t just leave Weatherfield… she would die.
Sue Devaney Shocked After Learning Debbie Would Be Killed Off
Sue Devaney, who has played Debbie Webster as a regular since 2019, is set to exit the ITV soap through a dementia storyline that ends in the character’s death. According to reports, the actor never intended to leave and was blindsided when producers revealed their plans.
A source told The Sun she reacted emotionally to the news, explaining she felt shocked at first, then sad, then angry, and later upset again while trying to process it.
The insider said she simply couldn’t believe she was being written out in such a permanent way. The situation contrasted with Helen Worth’s departure as Gail Platt, which had been planned as a voluntary exit over Christmas.
Devaney reportedly expected to continue on the show and struggled to come to terms with the decision once it was confirmed. The storyline forms part of new showrunner Kate Brooks’ upcoming 2025 plans.
Sue Turned The Pain Into Purpose Behind The Scenes
After the initial shock faded, Devaney reportedly refocused her energy on the meaning behind the plot. An insider told The Independent she remained completely professional and committed to delivering a powerful performance.
She now hopes the dementia arc can raise awareness in the same way the show’s Motor Neurone Disease storyline did. Instead of resisting the exit, she has poured everything into portraying Debbie’s decline authentically.
The reaction feels especially emotional given her history with the role. Devaney first appeared in Coronation Street in 1984 as a teenager for a brief one-year stint before returning decades later in 2019. She once admitted she never imagined she would stay so long. She drove to work every day with a big grin because she loved being there. That affection makes the decision to kill off Debbie even harder to accept.
ITV cited “personal reasons,” but Wilson later revealed it related to a police investigation into an alleged 1997 indecent assault. Against that backdrop, Devaney’s departure highlights a period of big, difficult changes for the long-running series. For her, however, the emotional blow came first. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.