Coronation Street’s Debbie Webster received her prison sentence on Friday, and fans are heartbroken
Sara Baalla Screen Time TV Reporter
18:53, 06 Feb 2026Updated 19:54, 06 Feb 2026
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Coronation Street fans believe they’ve worked out what happens to Debbie Webster after her prison sentence was revealed.
Debbie, portrayed by Sue Devaney, first graced the cobbles in 1984 as Kevin’s sister (played by Michael Le Vell). She departed Weatherfield a year later, only to make a comeback in 2019.
The much-loved character has had a challenging time on the cobbles recently. In addition to being diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia, Debbie was also embroiled in the multi-vehicle collision during last month’s Corriedale crossover. The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).
The accident was initially thought to have been caused by Debbie, when in reality, it was her brother Carl (Jonathan Howard) who was driving under the influence. Shortly after the crash, Carl moved an unconscious Debbie into the driver’s seat to frame her for the accident, reports the Daily Star.
Debbie Webster has gone to prison(Image: ITV)
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Upon noticing bruises on the left side of her body, Debbie deduced that she had been in the passenger seat but chose to cover for Carl, who is her secret son.
Feeling guilty, Carl resolved to confess the truth to the police earlier this week, but retracted his decision when Debbie disclosed that she was his mother. Heartbroken by the revelation that she had deceived him all his life, Carl declared he wanted no further association with Debbie.
In Friday’s episode (6th February), now available for streaming on ITVX, Debbie sought out Carl before her court hearing and expressed her wish for him to attend her sentencing.
As she subsequently took her seat in court, Debbie was relieved to see her husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), brother Kevin, sister-in-law Abi (Sally Carman), and employee Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) present in support. However, she was let down by Carl’s absence.
The judge then confirmed that Debbie was to receive a custodial sentence of four years, which had been reduced to two years and eight months as a result of her guilty plea. The popular character was immediately escorted to her cell, whilst her distraught loved ones watched on.
The character had another health emergency(Image: ITV)
The situation quickly worsened when Ronnie received a telephone call from the prison, informing him that Debbie had experienced another TIA – a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain. Following her emergency transfer to hospital, Debbie became tearful upon discovering that she’d been handcuffed to the bed on the ward.
Now, numerous Corrie fans believe they’ve identified a way for Debbie to be freed from prison, and her husband Ronnie could hold the answer.
“I hope Ronnie sees Debbie’s bruises and realises she was in the passenger seat. I can’t cope with her being in prison,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter), with another adding: “Free our Debbie!!”
A third viewer questioned: “Still confused by #Corrie – the van driven by Billy overturned avoiding the crash of Becky and Lisa – Carl and Debbie’s crash happened after. Why is Billy’s death Debbie’s fault? And if the police knew C and D condition from medical reports – they also be aware of seatbelt bruising,” with another person similarly expressing: “Ronnie needs to get the truth out of Carl. Debbie won’t survive prison.”
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and STV, and Coronation Street airs weekday nights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and STV as part of ITV’s new soap power hour scheduling pattern for Coronation Street and Emmerdale
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