From Coronation Street fan Joseph MacDonald:
"Following the recent announcement of a story in which Debbie Webster is to be killed off in a long-running dementia storyline, we, the fans, are urging ITV to reconsider this idea. Debbie is not just a character, she represents the warmth, humour and resilience that Coronation Street has been celebrated for since its inception. By giving Debbie a cruel, long-running dementia storyline, followed by her death, the show risks alienating its most loyal audience. Fans turn to Corrie for a dose of warmth and heart, and this storyline threatens to tip the scales too far toward darkness, leaving viewers disheartened.
If this storyline goes ahead, it will not only rob fans of a beloved character but also further erode the heart and soul of Coronation Street. Debbie Webster is a symbol of what makes Corrie unique: relatable characters with depth, humour, and a sense of family. Losing her in such a devastating way sends a clear message that the show has abandoned its roots in favour of shock value and relentless bleakness. This decision could push more fans away at a time when ratings are already in decline, putting the very future of Coronation Street at risk.
We are asking the producer of Corrie, Kate Brooks, to reconsider this story now, before work on this begins. The departure of a character like Debbie Webster, especially under these circumstances, is not just a creative choice—it’s a statement about the direction of the show. We want Coronation Street to be the cornerstone of TV schedules, a place where we can come home to each episode for many years to come. We are urging those behind-the-scenes to have a rethink, for the good of the soap opera that we all love, and all wish to see thrive once again."
Glenda Young
Facebook: GlendaYoungAuthor
Fancy writing a guest blog post for us? All details here!
12 comments:
I've signed. Come on guys, We've gotta stop this storyline
Signed - enough is enough!
Unless the actress wants to leave, I think it should be reconsidered. Another sad issue led storyline. The street is full of doom and gloom!
Thank you, Glenda, for giving this a boost! :)
Please do consider signing if you haven't already! We've had coverage in the Sun and the Metro, and we're inching ever closer towards 300 signatures. The more of us sign, the more media coverage we're likely to get, the harder it will be for ITV to ignore this!
Even if Sue wishes to leave, they don't need to kill her off, she's left before and returned. Just leave the door open for her to return. We don't need her exit storyline to be like this
I've signed and shared. Blimey - we've only just had Paul going to MND. The last thing we need to see is yet another, long horrible drawn out uncurable illness story.
They could have given this dementia story to a different, long standing character instead, such as Rita, who we hardly ever see now - or Brian, Kirk or Mary.
All 4 are characters that mainly support others, so this plot could be their last hurrah on the street.
But cheery Debbie is so worth saving!
Sorry folks but facebook won't allow me to share it, because of the words 'killed off.' It goes against their rules, apparently. I did try to share the petition link it but I'm afraid FB won't have it.
Are the producers trying to demolish the street? There are few enough characters that we actually care about and Debbie Webster is definately one that the fans love. I've not been watching much lately or find myself skpping through the boring bits *quite a bit lately*
Save Debbie from this disease, we already saw Mike Baldwin die from it......raise recognition with something else and someone else.
Just crazy! Do we need yet another character killed off by an exceptionally rare (early onset dementia) and exceptionally cruel disease and to see it drawn out in agonizingly painful detail? So sado-masochistic to inflict on viewers, especially after the orgy of pain, suffering, humiliation that was Paul's endless demise from MD. And then to make it Debbie who is such a funny, successful, energetic character--she lights up every scene and has had so many wonderful one liners which she delivers with such zing. And she and Ronnie are the real power couple of the street....at least in terms of sexiness and charisma.To simply inflict terrible, painful storylines on beloved characters--whether that is the tsunami of violence afflicting the street or the wave of rare, self-destroying terminal conditions--is not story-telling, it's laziness and lack of imagination, plain and simple. It would make so much more sense--and actually be a realistic story worth telling--to have Ken or Rita develop Alzheimers, not a relatively young woman like Debbie. And since I'm posting--no, I don't buy Carla and Swain as a couple. Yes, as actors they have chemistry and are a very physically attractive pair of middle-aged women. But to have Carla suddenly become bi-sexual is as silly as if the writers decided to make Sean go straight. People's sexuality doesn't just change after 30 years---it would be offensive if there were suggested for a gay character (eg. Sean or Sophie or Swain herself) and it is no less ridiculous to suggest for a straight character. Just because they make a cute couple. Why not make Swain fall for Kit? Or Kit fall for Ryan? Or Ryan fall for Sean? Or Sean fall for Maria? Or Maria fall for Sophie? Or Sophie fall for Daniel? Etc. Such a lazy, cheap storyline, just exploiting the capital these great characters have acquired over the years, as opposed to further developing them and building on who they actually are.
Hear, hear, Jeanie.
Hi Sharon, thanks for letting me know! That seems ridiculously strict on Facebook's behalf!
I've just changed it to 'axed' rather than 'killed off', if you and anyone else want to try and share it on Facebook. And thank you so much for signing and at least attempting to share the petition! :)
C'mon guys. Please sign this petition, this is your chance to at least let the tptb sit up and realise, us the viewers, don't want this.
What's the alternative? Whinge and complain when the storyline is ongoing? It'll be too late then. There'll be no going back once the storyline has started
Post a Comment