Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks has warned viewers that a ‘terrible’ outcome could be looming for Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) as her devastating storyline takes an even darker turn in Monday night’s episode.

Following the explosive fallout from the wedding day chaos, Debbie now finds herself in an increasingly frightening position, one that could see her facing prison at the same time as struggling with the early stages of dementia.

Speaking about what lies ahead, Brooks explained that the soap is only just beginning to explore the true impact of Debbie’s diagnosis, making the danger she now faces all the more alarming.

‘We’ve not fully explored the impact of dementia and how that takes its toll on her as a character,’ she said. ‘We’re still in the early stages, and we’ve still got a long way to go.’

The drama unfolding in Weatherfield has left Debbie determined to take responsibility for a serious crime, despite not fully understanding what has happened. Confused and emotionally overwhelmed, Debbie believes she is to blame, unaware that Carl has interfered and swapped places with her.

At this stage, Debbie genuinely doesn’t realise the truth.

‘She’s determined to take the rap for Carl,’ Brooks explained. ‘She’s confused at this point and she doesn’t really know what happened. She’s like, “I’m going to face the punishment and do what I can do, hold my hand up and say I’m responsible for this.”’

That decision could have devastating consequences. With the seriousness of the crime hanging over her, Debbie is staring down the very real possibility of a prison sentence, a terrifying prospect for anyone, but especially for someone living with early-onset dementia.

‘Obviously, getting sent to prison is a terrible thing,’ Brooks said. ‘But getting sent to prison if you’ve got early onset dementia must be a terrifying prospect.’

As Debbie braces herself for what may come next, she’s also reeling from the emotional wreckage left behind by her wedding day. What should have been one of the happiest moments of her life instead has left Weatherfield reeling.

Carl and Kevin are now more divided than ever, and Debbie finds herself trying to hold everything together while processing her own pain.

‘She’s trying to get through it day by day and protect them all,’ Brooks explained. ‘Her family have fallen apart, Carl and Kevin have never been as splintered as they are in the aftermath of the wedding.’

Despite the darkness closing in, Debbie isn’t facing it entirely alone. Her circle of friends will become a crucial lifeline as she navigates the uncertainty ahead.

‘She’s going to need her mates more than ever,’ Kate said. ‘Her gal pals, Glenda and Christina and Bernie and Sally really rally to get her through these darker moments as she braces herself for a future that’s looking uncertain at the minute.’

Adding to Debbie’s torment is the reaction of the wider community. Once widely admired and respected on the Street, she now faces suspicion, judgement and hostility from neighbours who believe she is responsible for Billy’s death.

‘This is about Debbie dealing with the here and now and facing the wrath of a lot of the community,’ Brooks explained. ‘Previously, they thought Debbie was the bees’ knees, the best thing since sliced bread, but now she’s apparently culpable for Billy’s death.’

For someone as generous and warm-hearted as Debbie, that shift in perception is deeply painful.

‘That’s a massive thing for Debbie to have to overcome,’ Brooks said. ‘She’s one of the most big-hearted characters on the whole street.’

Yet even in the midst of tragedy, viewers can expect to see the Debbie they know and love. Brooks was keen to reassure fans that the character’s spark hasn’t been lost.

‘Even though there’s drama aplenty and lots going on, she’s still Debbie,’ she said. ‘She’s still fun, she still makes you laugh. The heart’s still there, the pals are still there. We still see that vibrancy she channels.’

As Coronation Street continues to chart Debbie’s journey, the contrast between who she is and what she’s facing will be at the heart of the drama. She should be newly married, on honeymoon and looking forward to the future; instead, everything has been derailed.

‘How she deals with that is going to be a real test of character for her,’ Kate said.

With prison a looming possibility and Debbie’s dementia still in its early stages, the weeks ahead promise emotional, high-stakes storytelling, and a future that remains painfully uncertain.