Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) was left reeling in Coronation Street earlier this week when a doctor told her that she may have young onset dementia.
A combination of several incidents over the last few weeks left Debbie concerned for her health, and she booked herself a last-minute appointment to get checked out.
Certain that it was just symptoms of the menopause, Debbie was shocked when the doctor explained that she’d likely had a mini stroke, which, given her symptoms, might have been caused by dementia.
‘I spoke to a support worker from Dementia UK, and she said many women think it’s just menopause and don’t get tested, even though the symptoms can be similar, like brain fog, but on a much bigger scale with dementia,’ actress Sue Devaney explained.
He referred Debbie to a neurologist for further tests, and urged her to be honest with partner Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan).
However, she ignored his advice, and kept her shocking news to herself.
Next week, the hotel owner heads to the memory clinic for her appointment and gets booked in for an MRI to determine exactly what her diagnosis is.
Afterwards, she calls her family to the Chariot Square Hotel, where she announces that life is for living, and she intends to do just that.
Will she come clean about the reason for her sudden change in attitude, or will she keep her family in the dark?
While viewers will no doubt be desperate for Debbie to reach out for support from her loved ones, Sue can ‘totally understand’ why Debbie wouldn’t want to tell her family about her illness.
‘My mum did the same when my dad had cancer. She downplayed it to protect us,’ she revealed.
‘I think Debbie is in denial and wants to pretend everything is alright until it’s not. She’s a protector of her family, even though she doesn’t have children. She doesn’t want to worry them. It’s like her world is being exploded.
‘Also, people will treat you differently. She wants people to see her as the Debbie they know, the one who is in control and running a business. She doesn’t want them to see her as someone else.’
