Coronation Street fans are up in arms over the decision to kill off show legend Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney), 40 years after her debut.
Last year, Metro exclusively revealed that the iconic character is set to be at the centre of a heartbreaking storyline that will see her diagnosed with dementia, and ultimately lead to her exit.
In recent scenes, Debbie has been showing signs of the illness, after forgetting certain things she has seen or been told.
Metro readers have been expressing their devastation around the storyline with Eileen saying: ‘She needs to stay, she brightens things up.’
‘Debbie is one of the best characters on the street disgusting what they are doing’, Ailsa wrote, while Rita agreed, adding: ‘She is brilliant what a horrible story line for her why don’t you leave her in the show she is great.’
‘Big mistake one of the best,’ Dawn said, while Paul penned: ‘I can’t believe they are killing her off.’
Now the storyline has officially begun, fans have once again taken to social media to protest the decision to kill Debbie off.
This week, Debbie was left frustrated when the power went out at the Chariot Square Hotel, and was forced to call in electrician Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) for help.
However, Mick later revealed that it had been a planned power outage, which Debbie had received an email about.
Throughout the episode, Debbie put employee Rafael through his paces in comedic scenes, with the ITV soap sharing an Instagram post in support of his plight.
Instead of empathizing with overworked Rafael, the comment section was awash with devastated fans hoping for a different outcome to the story.
‘Debbie / Sue is comedy gold, you’re making a huge mistake writing her out,’ one fan wrote after the hilarious scenes.
‘Debbie always makes me smile. Such a shame she’s leaving. Brilliant character,’ another agreed.
‘Please don’t get rid of her. She’s one of the best characters you have,’ a third begged, with 101 other fans liking the comment.
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‘I love every scene with Debbie in it, the brilliant Sue Devaney captures her so well but…I also can’t bear to watch knowing her outcome,’ another lamented.
Metro's Soaps Editor Duncan Lindsay says...
It was the exclusive that I never wanted to land in my lap – the revelation that Coronation Street is going to kill off the myth, the legend that is Debbie Webster.
My heart sank as I discovered the news, and I wrote it up with a heavy heart given that Sue Devaney and her alter-ego are by far my Corrie favourites.
There are few characters quite like Debbie and even the prospect of finally seeing her at the heart of a meaty storyline can’t take away the sting of losing someone who is easily one of the only classic-style Corrie characters left.
I, along with many others, have long been banging the drum that Sue and Debbie deserve to be at the forefront of the show – it has been my wish to have her and Ronnie Bailey take over the Rovers and be right at the hub of all of the action.
Debbie epitomises the northern charm that Corrie is known for – she exudes warmth and wit and delivers her acerbic and cutting dialogue with finesse.
Sue plays comedy like a pro and, since her 2019 return, she has become more and more grounded as a character, integrating into her family circles and the wider community.
In a show that currently has the police station practically as its main set, the more fun and realistic characters not shrouded by crime, misery and tragedy are necessary to remind us that, yes, that identity that Corrie has long been famous for is still there.
Debbie’s pretty much THE classic Corrie character we have who can still move with the times and feel relevant.
For a storyline that is obviously going to hit home hard, deliver impeccable drama and win awards, the sacrifice still seems a bit too huge long-term.
Fans have even launched a petition, begging bosses to change their minds.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new producer Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house,’ a source previously told us of Debbie’s exit.
‘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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