When an actor leaves a long-running soap opera, especially one as iconic as Coronation Street, the audience often feels the weight of the decision as deeply as the performer does. For Sue Devaney, who returned to the cobbles to reprise her role as Debbie Webster after decades away, her recent exit has been the subject of much discussion and debate among fans. Some saw it as a fittingly dramatic farewell for a character known for her fiery personality, while others believed that Debbie deserved a gentler send-off or a storyline that allowed for future comebacks. Yet, for Sue herself, the feelings around her departure are far less controversial than many viewers might expect. She has openly stated that she was actually “quite happy” during her most recent stint on Corrie, and that her exit, however divisive, has not tainted her overall experience on the beloved soap.

Debbie Webster has always been something of a whirlwind character, someone who could stir trouble, create sparks, and yet still command affection from viewers who appreciated her boldness and wit. When Sue Devaney first returned to Weatherfield in 2019, fans were delighted to see Debbie back on the Street, bringing her sharp tongue, mischievous charm, and restless energy to the mix. It was a chance for long-time viewers to reconnect with a familiar face from the show’s history, and for newer fans to discover why Debbie had once made such an impression. Over the years, Debbie’s presence injected a level of unpredictability into storylines, ensuring that her return was not just nostalgic but narratively vital.

Her exit storyline, however, left some scratching their heads. Rather than bowing out quietly or finding redemption, Debbie departed amid controversy, consistent with her fiery personality but also frustrating for fans who wanted a more layered resolution. Some believed the show missed an opportunity to explore more of Debbie’s family ties or to grant her a long-term presence that would balance drama with softer, more relatable moments. Others, though, argued that the explosive and unpredictable nature of her departure was perfectly in keeping with the character she had always been. Sue, for her part, seems to lean toward the latter interpretation: she embraces the drama, acknowledging that soap operas thrive on bold choices and cliffhangers rather than neat, tidy resolutions.

Sue’s perspective highlights a critical truth about soaps: they are ultimately ensemble stories, and no single character can dominate forever. Actors step in and out, characters exit dramatically or quietly, and the ever-shifting narrative ensures the show’s longevity. For Sue, the fact that her exit sparked such passionate debate among viewers is itself a sign of success. Debbie left an impact, and impact is what soap actors aim for. Rather than lamenting the loss, Sue takes pride in the fact that her character’s departure left fans talking, speculating, and revisiting Debbie’s legacy within the show.

Reflecting on her time back at Corrie, Sue described herself as genuinely happy and grateful. Beyond the storylines themselves, she emphasized the joy of working with an ensemble cast that felt like family, and the comfort of returning to a set that held so much personal and professional history. For her, the experience wasn’t about how long she stayed but about the quality of the work, the camaraderie with fellow actors, and the chance to once again step into the shoes of a character she had first inhabited decades ago. This perspective is refreshing in an industry where actors often measure success by longevity. For Sue, fulfillment came not from the length of Debbie’s return but from the depth of the stories told during that time.

Debbie Webster, as a character, brought something unique to Corrie. She was not afraid to be unpopular, not afraid to ruffle feathers, and not afraid to push boundaries. Characters like hers serve an essential role in soaps: they stir conflict, challenge the status quo, and provide the spark that keeps storylines alive. Without characters willing to cross lines or make questionable choices, soaps risk becoming stagnant. Debbie’s scheming, boldness, and occasional vulnerability ensured that she would always be remembered as more than just a background figure. Sue understood this, and in interviews, she has expressed her pride in portraying someone who could both entertain and frustrate audiences in equal measure.

From a fan perspective, the disappointment surrounding Debbie’s exit speaks to how deeply audiences connected with her. In soap operas, viewers often crave not just drama but also continuity. When a character reappears after many years, fans hope for a long-term reintegration into the fabric of the Street, rather than a brief stint followed by another departure. Debbie’s exit, then, felt abrupt for some, almost like a missed opportunity to dig deeper into her family relationships, especially with Kevin and other long-standing characters. Yet, at the same time, others recognize that her fiery farewell was authentically “Debbie” and avoided turning her into a softer, more diluted version of herself.