Coronation Street Fans Convinced Debbie Webster May Be Hiding a Secret Child

Loyal Coronation Street viewers are speculating that Debbie Webster (played by Sue Devaney) might be harboring a hidden secret: that she already has a child, potentially one who is now living among the familiar faces on the cobbles.

Debbie originally appeared in the series in 1984 as the sister of soap legend Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell). She departed a year later but made a triumphant return in 2019, quickly re-establishing herself among fans as a beloved character. Since her comeback, Debbie’s life on the Street has been anything but simple.

This year has brought turmoil. Kevin’s world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and then his long-lost brother Carl (Jonathan Howard) suddenly reappeared, having spent years residing in Germany. In a cruel twist of fate, Debbie was also diagnosed with vascular dementia—a degenerative condition with no cure. Despite the diagnosis, she has fought to maintain normalcy, leaning on her family for support and attempting to maintain agency in her life. (As reported by Daily Star)

The drama escalated when Debbie discovered that Carl had been having a clandestine affair with Kevin’s wife, Abi (Sally Carman). Furious yet conflicted, she vowed to protect Kevin from the truth, insisting that Carl and Abi end the affair. Neither agreed.

Matters came to a head when Abi’s blunder at a family birthday gathering revealed the affair. Kevin, stunned, confronted the truth and demanded explanations. Debbie, meanwhile, intervened—demanding Carl and Abi call things off, arguing that Abi “isn’t good enough” for him, and attempting to console Kevin—all without admitting she already knew.

At this point, viewers have speculated that Debbie’s own mysterious past might hold further secrets. Some fans are now wondering if Carl himself is her secret son, meaning that his return to Weatherfield has deeper roots than anyone realized. On a Coronation Street Facebook fan page, one commenter asked:

“Who thinks Carl is Debbie’s secret son?! That’s why Abi’s not good enough for him.”
Another added:
“Oh my goodness! I think you're onto something.”
A third observed:
“Exactly what I thought.”
Yet another speculated:
“Imagine it coming out with the dementia—all the juicy secrets!”

One fan even drew parallels with another British soap:

“Look at Kat Slater in EastEnders — her parents officially brought up her secret daughter Zoe. It could be that Kevin’s dad and stepmother raised Carl. Anything is possible in soap-land.”

These theories are gaining traction partly because uncovering hidden family ties is a staple of soap storytelling. Debbie’s dementia diagnosis also provides fertile narrative ground: her memory lapses could hide or gradually reveal significant revelations. Critics and fans alike have noted that dementia plots often serve as a device to unlock buried secrets or shape dramatic twists.

That said, as of now there is no confirmation from the show’s producers or writers that Debbie has a secret child. But the rumor mill is active—and given Coronation Street’s history of surprise parentage revelations, nothing is off the table.