Coronation Street fans have praised Sue Devaney’s “phenomenal” performance as Debbie Webster’s emotional storyline begins.

Fan-favourite Debbie will be diagnosed with young-onset dementia this year as part of a long-running plot that will set up Devaney’s eventual exit from the soap.

In Wednesday night’s episode, Debbie had a life-changing appointment with the doctor to discuss her recent memory loss, recalling a string of incidents, which were shown in flashback clips.

Starting with a powerful scene, which was shot mostly from the doctor’s point of view, Debbie delivered what was essentially a monologue about her “brain fog” while flashbacks played.

ITV

Included in Debbie’s flashbacks were moments from the past few months, including the time Debbie lost her purse and blamed Mick, the time she lost her temper with Jack, the altercation with Mick in the ginnel, and the time she fell over.

After convincing herself it was related to menopause, Debbie was stunned when the doctor said she may have suffered a mini-stroke after she told him about the fall. “The truth is I just collapsed, and it scared me,” she said. “I’m scared. That’s why I’m here, Doctor.”

The doctor said he was referring her to the neurologist, telling a stunned and tearful Debbie: “My concern is that the body of your symptoms might indicate the early onset of dementia.”

ITV

“I can’t have dementia,” Debbie told the doctor while fighting back floods of tears.

Following the appointment, Bernie found Debbie in Victoria Garden looking upset while holding onto a bottle of wine. Bernie comforted Debbie, assuming she was upset about Kevin, who has cancer.

Viewers took to social media after the soap shared the scene on Instagram, sharing their thoughts on the emotional episode, calling Devaney’s performance “phenomenal”.

One viewer penned: “She is phenomenal!” Another commented: “The best actress for this storyline, she’s already doing a phenomenal job!”

“This is such an interesting storyline! She’s playing it brilliantly,” one fan commented, while another said: “Absolutely brilliant acting!”

“Sue knocking it out the park tonight,” another wrote, while one viewer said: “She’s playing this so well ❤️ what a shame they’re killing her off.”

One emotional fan said: “Please do not kill Debbie off, she’s the only one left with a sense of humour on this miserable show.”

“I saw this morning it made me cry my late dad had dementia and to watch some with it is heartbroken,” another viewer added.