Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney)’s recent dementia diagnosis on Coronation Street was a massive shock for a person who prides herself in being a strong, successful businesswoman.
Debbie initially kept the diagnosis a secret, not wanting her family and friends to change the way they viewed her as she came to terms with the news.
‘She wants to keep it to herself for as long as possible,’ Sue Devaney said at the start of the storyline. ‘She’s going, “I’ve been diagnosed with this, so how am I going to cope with it? I’ll find out how I cope with it and then I’ll tell my family.” She’s gone about it that way.’
Eventually Debbie had to open up to her loved ones about what was wrong, after she collapsed and Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Abi (Sally Carman) wanted to take her to hospital.
Telling the truth eventually allowed her to mend her relationship with Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan). Debbie had pushed Ronnie away, making out that she didn’t love him, because she couldn’t face him how their relationship might change in the future as her illness progressed.
Ronnie has reassured her that he’s going nowhere and is ready to be by her side to face whatever comes.
This is due to be put to the test in upcoming episodes, as Debbie makes a massive decision which could potentially affect their future for a long time to come, without talking to Ronnie about it first.
Ronnie and Debbie are keen to buy number 6 Coronation Street, the former home of Yasmeen Metcalfe (Shelley King). They aren’t the only couple interested, however, as Carla Connor (Alison King) and Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) also have their eye on the house.
Debbie is furious when she discovers that Carla has put in an offer, which has been accepted and she takes action.
Ronnie is appalled to hear that Debbie has retaliated by placing a ‘crazy’ offer for the property, far above what it’s worth. He begs her to retract the offer, but she stubbornly refuses, reminding Ronnie that she’s a successful businesswoman and she knows what she’s doing.
It’s Ronnie’s belief that Debbie is so desperate to get the house because she wants to be on hand for her brother Kevin as he goes through more cancer treatment.
Viewers know that Kevin is actually cancer free and his treatment has worked, after Dr Gaddas (Christine Mackie) congratulated him on the news. But he’s still pretending to be ill because he’s afraid Abi will leave him for his brother Carl (Jonathan Howard) otherwise.
So when Ronnie tells Kevin about Debbie’s reckless actions with the house, a guilty Kevin tries to persuade his sister not to do anything daft because of him.
