Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks has confirmed beloved character Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) will continue to be at the centre of the drama this year.

After receiving a diagnosis of vascular dementia, Debbie stepped into the spotlight for a storyline that saw her come to terms with her health news. At first, she kept the dementia a secret from her loved ones, believing that she could just carry on as normal.

Sadly, the symptoms meant Debbie wasn’t able to hide her dementia for very long. With the character previously confirmed to be staying on our screens until at least 2027, focus has shifted into how Debbie lives her life alongside this diagnosis.

It’s incredibly difficult for her sometimes, as incidents will occur that ultimately confirm Debbie’s health is declining quite quickly.

A few weeks ago, she burnt her hands on some hot plates in her hotel, and it only happened because her brain failed to tell her to drop them to prevent injury. There was also a heartbreaking moment where Debbie couldn’t quite remember the name of her husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan).

With fans invested in Debbie’s journey, show boss Kate Brooks has ensured we will see more of her in 2026.

‘We’ll see her symptoms start to take hold slightly more, but she’s still very much the Debbie we know and love throughout the spring and summer. Her friendships with the women who she holds so dear are still very much at the front and centre of the show’, she revealed.

‘Her relationship with Ronnie is still really, really strong, but it’s the relationship with Carl that needs the most repair and I think the thing with Carl is he is such a complex individual.

Kate added: ‘He’s incredibly selfish and self-serving. Debbie, as his mother, can see that. It’s how those two people can come together and forge a relationship that’s not based on Carl trying to get money. It needs to kind of go back to basics and becomes about the sincerity of their relationship.

‘And it takes a while to get there. And it does all come to a head, kind of a big head with the fellas in Debbie’s life. It’s about trying to give Debbie that bit of happiness before she goes too far down the line.’

Kate also shared that the ITV soap will focus a great deal on Debbie’s friendships soon: ‘Christina, Glenda, Sally, Debbie, Bernie, those five women are just phenomenal actors, and the warmth and the comedy that they all emanate, is just contagious. It won’t just be Debbie at the front and centre.’