Coronation Street star reveals when Debbie dies with ‘poignant’ final Christmas confirmed

‘I think everyone is aware that it’s potentially Debbie’s last Christmas’ (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images) Coronation Street star Jonathan Howard has revealed when Debbie Webster’s dementia storyline will reach its heartbreaking conclusion, as the character prepares to spend a potentially final Christmas with her family. Debbie, played by Sue Devaney, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia earlier this year, beginning a long-running storyline which will ultimately lead to the popular character’s departure from Weatherfield. Now Jonathan, who plays Debbie’s son Carl Webster, has confirmed that Sue is contracted with the ITV soap until August 2027, with emotional scenes ahead as Debbie’s condition progresses. Speaking exclusively to The Sun at the Inside Soap Awards 2026, Jonathan said: ‘Sue is contracted to August, but already they are ramping up the dementia storyline. It’s going to be very sad, so sad, I love Sue so much. ‘I’m so happy she gets to play my mum and I get to play her son. ‘It’s going to be really emotional because since I started, she’s always held my hand and been there for me. ‘Yesterday, I had lunch with her, Michael Le Vell [Kevin Webster] and Sally Carman who plays Abi, it’s a nice little family we’ve created. ‘So knowing that at some point, it’s still a year down the line, it’s going to come to an end, it’s so sad.’ The mother and son duo have had a turbulent few months (Picture: ITV) Before then, the Websters are set to face an emotional festive period as they become increasingly aware of how precious their time with Debbie is. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Jonathan revealed that the cast have now received their Christmas scripts, with the storyline coinciding with Carl’s 40th birthday. He said: ‘We’ve just got the latest scripts for the Christmas storyline. Carl is turning 40 just before Christmas and I think everyone is aware that it’s potentially Debbie’s last Christmas. ‘You don’t know how long with dementia someone’s going to survive, but there is a feeling this is the last Christmas that she is herself.’ Debbie’s dementia storyline has already seen significant changes for the character as she and her loved ones come to terms with her diagnosis and what it could mean for their future. The storyline is set to continue unfolding gradually over the coming months rather than bringing about an immediate departure, with Debbie remaining at the centre of the Webster family until next year. News that the character would eventually be written out first emerged last year, prompting a huge response from viewers. Debbie has become a firm favourite with fans since Sue returned to the cobbles on a permanent basis in 2019, with some even launching petitions calling for the character to be saved. Sue confirmed at the NTA’s that leaving Coronation Street hadn’t been part of her own plans. Viewers have watched Debbies dementia get heartbreakingly worse (Picture: ITV) She explained: ‘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.’ However, the actress ultimately decided to embrace the opportunity the challenging storyline offered her. She added: ‘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 has also spoken about how much the reaction from viewers has meant to her, particularly after learning how loved Debbie had become. ‘I felt so overjoyed as it meant that I’d been doing something right,’ she said. ‘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.’ Meanwhile, there is plenty more Webster drama to come before Debbie’s final chapter. Jonathan teased another development involving Carl, Kevin and Abi following the fallout from Carl’s affair with his brother’s wife. 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