Coronation Street confirms devastating young onset dementia storyline that will see character killed off after 41 years

CORONATION Street bosses have confirmed the devastating young onset dementia storyline for Debbie Webster.

The ITV soap has been working closely with Dementia UK on the devastating storyline that will see fan-favourite Debbie die of the disease.

In next week’s episodes Debbie grows concerned about her memory loss and books an appointment at a private clinic, believing her symptoms may be related to the menopause.

After discussing a series of recent incidents, shown as flashback scenes, including a black out and fall, the doctor advises her that he wants her to have further tests as he is concerned she is showing symptoms of early onset vascular dementia.

A shocked Debbie decides to keep the potential diagnosis to herself and initially says nothing to her friends and family.

Coronation Street producers and the story team are working closely with Dementia UK on this long term storyline which will explore the effects of young onset dementia on Debbie and those close to her.

Over the coming months and years the soap will follow Debbie’s journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and the family.

The storyline has been a controversial one due to the popularity of Debbie – with fans launching a petition to stop it.

Breaking her silence on the storyline, actress Sue Devaney said: “It is an honour and privilege to be given this sort of storyline.

“A lot of people are saying, why give it to Debbie? She's so vibrant and she's so full of life. But I think that is where a good story lies because it's somebody that has everything and also words are important to Debbie.

“She has a quick wit and everything is so important, money and success. She's been dealt this hand of this illness and it is going to be interesting to follow her journey.”;

Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks added: “With one in two people being affected by dementia, we felt this was such an important story to tell for the simple reason that it resonates with so many people.

“Having a character as vibrant as Debbie Webster, and an actor of Sue Devaney's incredible talent and calibre, at the heart of this storyline, was key to unlocking the many emotions that come with navigating this diagnosis.

“We're working closely with Dementia UK to ensure this story is told as truthfully and sensitively as possible – whilst never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis.

“This is a story about family, about community, but ultimately this is a story about love, and how love can provide light, even through the darkest of times.”;

Dr Hilda Hayo, CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Coronation Street on this storyline, which we hope will help debunk the myth that dementia is a condition just associated with old age.

“Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses support many people like Debbie who are living with young onset dementia and understand the challenges that living with the condition can bring.

Is it ageing or dementia?

Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer's – comes on slowly over time.

As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.

But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.

TheUS National Institute on Aginggives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.

You can refer to these above.

For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.

Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told Flying Eze: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.

“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.

“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.

“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.

“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn't belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”;

“The production team has worked closely with our Consultant Admiral Nurse for Young Onset Dementia to deliver a sensitive depiction of what it’s like to live with the condition.

“We hope this will encourage people to start having more conversations about dementia and to reach out for support from our Admiral Nurses when they need it.”;