Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street fans can expect a crushing new blow for Debbie Webster next week, after the successful hotel owner walks into the salon and picks up some scissors. And Bethany Platt is bewildered as she finds herself at the centre of the drama…
Ambitious Debbie insists that she’s still able to handle the business, but instead of heading to the Chariot Square Hotel, she ends up trying to cut hair. What will this worrying moment mean for the future of her beloved career?
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“Being a successful businesswoman is Debbie’s whole identity,” explains our Corrie source. “This mix-up is mortifying for her. She hates that her dementia is stealing a huge part of her life and making her feel like a fool.”
Debbie’s week gets off to a bad start when she insists she’s capable of handling an upcoming supplier meeting, but her husband Ronnie senses she’s not up to it. He reminds her to put her shoes on, but when she arrives at the hotel, she’s still wearing her slippers and marigolds.
Feeling embarrassed, Debbie wants to head home immediately – and as Ronnie and Ryan Connor look on, their hearts break for her.
“No-one wants to take Debbie’s independence away from her,” continues our spy. “But there’s going to be a time soon when Debbie won’t be able to run a business. It’s a harsh reality for her to adjust to.”
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Later in the week, the clients in the salon are in for a big shock when Debbie breezes in, convinced she’s one of the stylists. It quickly becomes clear that Debbie is reliving her past career.
In the salon chair, panicked Bethany Platt goes along with it, worried that stopping Debbie will only confuse her more.
Feeling awkward, Bethany gets a full-blown ’80s makeover, but in the nick of time Maria Connor rushes to the rescue, taking charge of the scissors before Debbie can start cutting! In a sudden moment of clarity, Debbie sees the scissors and flees in a panic.
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“Debbie has a meltdown in the hotel bar in front of all her customers,” reveals our insider. “She lashes out at Ronnie, feeling like her world is crumbling. Everyone is treating her like a child. It’s mortifying for her, and what’s worse is she can’t stop it.”
The fraught week continues as her family tries to arrange a birthday celebration. But after recent events, Ronnie’s concerned that his wife is deteriorating more quickly than they’d realised. When Debbie accidentally insults Betsy Swain, forgetting about her stroke, Ronnie’s convinced they need to ease off on any big birthday plans.
Will this cause more friction between Debbie and Ronnie? And how much longer can Debbie run the hotel that’s become her heart and soul?
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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