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Ronnie reels as he learns of Debbie's ‘new man' in Coronation Street

Ronnie reels as he learns of Debbie's ‘new man' in Coronation Street

Metro23-05-2025
After four years together, Coronation Street's Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) seemed like one of the more solid couples on the street. They have had their ups and downs in the past but their partnership has generally been based on real affection, mutual respect and shared interests.
Until very recently it seemed like they would always be together, and they were all set to get married. All of that changed when Debbie consulted a doctor after she'd been experiencing worrying symptoms.
She had further tests and was devastated to learn that she has young-onset dementia.
In the wake of this discovery she ended things with Ronnie, not wanting to be a burden on him as her disease progressed. Ronnie is currently unaware of the real reason for her dumping him, as she's determined to keep her diagnosis to herself.
Currently only her brother Carl (Jonathan Howard) knows what's really going on, after he accidentally saw a letter from the hospital in her bag. Debbie has sworn him to secrecy.
In her heart, though, Debbie knows she still loves Ronnie and a couple of times she's been about to either reconcile with him or at least explain.
On one of those occasions she came into the bistro to look for him, determined to fix things, only to see him chatting to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) – not the first time Leanne has seemingly set her sights on Ronnie. Although this encounter was perfectly innocent, Debbie was crushed, she walked out without Ronnie even seeing her. More Trending
Since then she's found out that there was nothing romantic going on between Ronnie and Leanne. But when Ronnie introduces her to a woman called Fiona, who he says is an 'old flame' of his, Debbie can't help but be jealous.
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So when her phone rings Debbie retaliates and pretends the call is from her new boyfriend. Poor Ronnie is gutted, thinking that Debbie has moved on and there's now absolutely no chance of them getting back together.
To make things even worse, Carl tells Ronnie that Debbie wants nothing more to do with him. In fact, he's barred from the Chariot Square Hotel. Ronnie's furious with Carl and the two go face-to-face, apparently ready for a fight.
View More »
Sadly it looks like there's no way back for Ronnie and Debbie right now.
MORE: All 29 Coronation Street pictures for next week as major star returns
MORE: Coronation Street's Ronnie thrown by unexpected death news as it changes everything
MORE: Coronation Street's Debbie Webster faces fresh agony as she receives another blow
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EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off
EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off

Scottish Sun

time35 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EASTENDERS favourite makes shock return to soap world - 20 years after brutal exit. A much-loved EastEnders star is back on our screens - but this time, they're shaking things up in Summer Bay, Australia. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Hannah Waterman played Laura Beale in EastEnders from 2000 to 2004 Credit: BBC 4 Her character was killed off after she fell down the stairs Credit: BBC Hannah Waterman made her Walford debut back in 2000 as Laura Beale. She was best known as Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) third wife. But, she was brutally killed off four years later when she went to answer the door and tripped over a toy before falling down the stairs and dying. Chaos followed as Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) found herself accused of murdering Laura - after a damning receipt turned up in Laura's flat following one of their explosive rows. The gripping death plot had fans hooked and went down as one of the most unforgettable moments in EastEnders history. Since her exit, Hannah has appeared in episodes of Doctors, The Bill, New Tricks and Holby City. She swapped the UK for Australia over adecade ago and made waves starring in Aussie dramas. Now based in Sydney, Hannah's credits include the Aussie-Indonesian hit Bali 2002. But, her new gig on Home and Away marks a proper return to the soap scene. This year, the iconic Aussie soap celebrated a whopping 35 years on air, with special reruns on a dedicated channel to mark the milestone. Forgotten soap star shows off huge £27million LA mansion after quitting fame and marrying a multimillionaire Home and Away first hit screens on January 17, 1988. Channel 5 snapped up the rights in 2000 - and they've been pumping out fresh episodes ever since. A source said: 'Hannah moved to Australia years ago for a new life but she's still acting. 'She loved dipping her toes back into the world of soap briefly and who knows it could mean she finds her way back more permanently.' Forgotten soap storylines The nation's soaps have had many gripping storylines play out over the years. However, some plots proved to be far less memorable. Here are some forgotten stories from Weatherfield, Walford and more... Coronation Street Ken and Audrey's romance (2015): After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like "Ross and Rachel". In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals. After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like "Ross and Rachel". In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals. Beth's bigamy (2016): Despite being happily married to Kirk (Andrew Whyment), a troubling secret came to light about Beth Tinker (Lisa George). It transpired that she had never divorced from her first husband, Darryl (Paul Loughran), father of her son Craig (Colson Smith). Although Craig and Kirk were shocked - and Beth was arrested - the storyline didn't didn't go much further. EastEnders Kat Slater's secret son (2017): Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled 'Redwater', it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott's not been mentioned since. Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled 'Redwater', it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott's not been mentioned since. Alfie's brain tumour (2015): Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline. Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline. Kathy and Buster's affair (2016): In 2016, Walford legend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) fell into the arms of convict Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman. Buster was the long-time lover of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and fathered both her sons - Mick (Danny Dyer) and Dean (Matt Di Angelo). When Buster left, he begged Kathy to join him, but she refused for the sake of her family. Meanwhile Buster didn't even stop to say goodbye to Shirley before exiting with a broken heart. Fans expected a showdown between the two women, but this never came to pass. Emmerdale Jacob's OCD (2016): After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob's OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a 'lucky coin' that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations - such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla's drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing - the condition doesn't appear to have returned. After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob's OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a 'lucky coin' that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations - such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla's drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing - the condition doesn't appear to have returned. Marlon and Charity's fling (2003): Few fans would likely remember few will remember the one-night stand between Charity (Emma Atkins) and Marlon (Mark Charnock) in 2003. The pair slept together when Charity was staying with Marlon while still under suspicion for husband Chris's supposed "murder". Hollyoaks Alex Browning's revenge plot (2014): Fans expected a confrontation when Dr Browning's son Alex (Ojan Genc) mer stepmum Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). After all, Mercedes, with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) had murdered Alex's dad, double-murderer Dr Paul Browning, after he kidnapped and attacked his new wife. In fact, the soap teased Alex would seek revenge for his father's death upon arriving. However, he instead gave Cindy's son Hilton (his half-brother) a life-saving transplant, became his godfather, and leaving the village soon after. The new role comes three years after Hannah tied the knot to former The Bill star husband Huw Higginson. Huw is most notable for his ten-year role in The Bill as PC George Garfield. Huw posted a celebratory shot showing their special day in October 2022 as they posed with their son Jack, 11, on a boat in Sydney. The Bill actor gushed in his caption: "Got married to my love yesterday. We had the best of days." Hannah can be seen gazing lovingly at her spouse as they celebrated their special day. She wore a patterned, long-sleeve blue frock - perhaps as her something blue - complete with gold strappy sandals and a navy pashmina. She clutched a bouquet of cream flowers and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses. The happy couple made the move to Australia in 2014. It came after Hannah married fellow EastEnders star Ricky Groves in 2006. But, the pair separated in 2010 and divorced in 2014. 4 She moved to Australia 11 years ago with her actor husband Credit: Instagram

EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off
EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

EastEnders favourite joins rival soap – 20 years after being brutally killed off

Henna Sharma, TV Reporter Published: Invalid Date, EASTENDERS favourite makes shock return to soap world - 20 years after brutal exit. A much-loved EastEnders star is back on our screens - but this time, they're shaking things up in Summer Bay, Australia. 4 Hannah Waterman made her Walford debut back in 2000 as Laura Beale. She was best known as Ian Beale's (Adam Woodyatt) third wife. But, she was brutally killed off four years later when she went to answer the door and tripped over a toy before falling down the stairs and dying. Chaos followed as Janine Butcher (Charlie Brooks) found herself accused of murdering Laura - after a damning receipt turned up in Laura's flat following one of their explosive rows. The gripping death plot had fans hooked and went down as one of the most unforgettable moments in EastEnders history. Since her exit, Hannah has appeared in episodes of Doctors, The Bill, New Tricks and Holby City. She swapped the UK for Australia over adecade ago and made waves starring in Aussie dramas. Now based in Sydney, Hannah's credits include the Aussie-Indonesian hit Bali 2002. But, her new gig on Home and Away marks a proper return to the soap scene. This year, the iconic Aussie soap celebrated a whopping 35 years on air, with special reruns on a dedicated channel to mark the milestone. Forgotten soap star shows off huge £27million LA mansion after quitting fame and marrying a multimillionaire Home and Away first hit screens on January 17, 1988. Channel 5 snapped up the rights in 2000 - and they've been pumping out fresh episodes ever since. A source said: 'Hannah moved to Australia years ago for a new life but she's still acting. 'She loved dipping her toes back into the world of soap briefly and who knows it could mean she finds her way back more permanently.' Forgotten soap storylines The nation's soaps have had many gripping storylines play out over the years. However, some plots proved to be far less memorable. Here are some forgotten stories from Weatherfield, Walford and more... Coronation Street Ken and Audrey's romance (2015): After the death of wife Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride), Coronation Street original Ken Barlow (William Roache) started to move on in his life. He started to develop a spark with old friend Audrey (Sue Nicholls), with then-Corrie boss saying it would be like "Ross and Rachel". In the end, nothing ever came of it and the two remained platonic pals. Beth's bigamy (2016): Despite being happily married to Kirk (Andrew Whyment), a troubling secret came to light about Beth Tinker (Lisa George). It transpired that she had never divorced from her first husband, Darryl (Paul Loughran), father of her son Craig (Colson Smith). Although Craig and Kirk were shocked - and Beth was arrested - the storyline didn't didn't go much further. EastEnders Kat Slater's secret son (2017): Capitalising on the popularity of Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie), the two received a spin-off back in 2017. Titled 'Redwater', it saw the two travel to Ireland where they met long-lost son Luke, now called Dermott Dolan, played by Oisín Stack. Despite the high-tension events during Redwater, Kat seems to have put the experience behind her as Dermott's not been mentioned since. Alfie's brain tumour (2015): Having learned in 2015 that he had a brain tumour, Alfie kept the news from Kat until their trip to Ireland. At the time, actor Shane Ritchie revealed fans would see a change in Alfie as he battled the illness. It would appear that at some point after leaving the Square, was told the tumour was non-malignant. By the time Alfie returned in 2022, fans were left confused over what had happened to the storyline. Kathy and Buster's affair (2016): In 2016, Walford legend Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) fell into the arms of convict Buster Briggs, played by Karl Howman. Buster was the long-time lover of Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) and fathered both her sons - Mick (Danny Dyer) and Dean (Matt Di Angelo). When Buster left, he begged Kathy to join him, but she refused for the sake of her family. Meanwhile Buster didn't even stop to say goodbye to Shirley before exiting with a broken heart. Fans expected a showdown between the two women, but this never came to pass. Emmerdale Jacob's OCD (2016): After his dad, David (Matthew Wolfenden), was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) developed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This manifested in the form of cleaning. Jacob's OCD made a brief return one year on, after David had another scare after finding a lump. Jacob frantically searched the bins for a 'lucky coin' that had accidentally been thrown away. Despite stressful situations - such as being groomed by his teacher Maya, losing his fiancee Leanna to a serial killer, dealing with mum Leyla's drug addiction, and surviving a stabbing - the condition doesn't appear to have returned. Marlon and Charity's fling (2003): Few fans would likely remember few will remember the one-night stand between Charity (Emma Atkins) and Marlon (Mark Charnock) in 2003. The pair slept together when Charity was staying with Marlon while still under suspicion for husband Chris's supposed "murder". Hollyoaks Alex Browning's revenge plot (2014): Fans expected a confrontation when Dr Browning's son Alex (Ojan Genc) mer stepmum Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). After all, Mercedes, with Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Waring) and Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) had murdered Alex's dad, double-murderer Dr Paul Browning, after he kidnapped and attacked his new wife. In fact, the soap teased Alex would seek revenge for his father's death upon arriving. However, he instead gave Cindy's son Hilton (his half-brother) a life-saving transplant, became his godfather, and leaving the village soon after. The new role comes three years after Hannah tied the knot to former The Bill star husband Huw Higginson. Huw is most notable for his ten-year role in The Bill as PC George Garfield. Huw posted a celebratory shot showing their special day in October 2022 as they posed with their son Jack, 11, on a boat in Sydney. The Bill actor gushed in his caption: "Got married to my love yesterday. We had the best of days." Hannah can be seen gazing lovingly at her spouse as they celebrated their special day. She wore a patterned, long-sleeve blue frock - perhaps as her something blue - complete with gold strappy sandals and a navy pashmina. She clutched a bouquet of cream flowers and accessorised with a pair of sunglasses. The happy couple made the move to Australia in 2014. It came after Hannah married fellow EastEnders star Ricky Groves in 2006. But, the pair separated in 2010 and divorced in 2014. 4 4

The Blind Date reboot already sounds like it's trying too hard
The Blind Date reboot already sounds like it's trying too hard

Metro

timean hour ago

  • Metro

The Blind Date reboot already sounds like it's trying too hard

Even in a crowded field of TV dating shows, I was initially elated to hear Blind Date was returning to screens 22 years after Cilla Black said her final 'ta-ra'. Paul O'Grady briefly revived the classic dating show for two series in 2017 on Channel 5, but it never managed to set the stars alight and remains a largely forgotten jewel in his showbiz crown. Because it was Cilla's version that captured the zeitgeist of dating shows in the 90s and early 00s. Her enthusiasm and unbridled camp was totally mesmerising to me. Teamed with family-friendly sass from 'our Graham' and a format of one singleton picking a date from a panel of three strangers hiding behind a wall that never got tired, I loved Blind Date more than I've ever loved any of the countless dating shows that followed. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Once a date had been chosen, they'd be whisked away to a holiday selected by producers, which ranged from two days basking in golden sands and luxury in Antigua to hiking in Bognor Regis. Now, Disney+ has confirmed its Blind Date reboot. I was originally ecstatic, until I realised it actually sounds nothing at all like the original. In an announcement on Monday, the streaming service said: 'The new series will begin in a secret location, where contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind the legendary Blind Date wall.' So far so good. 'With a host of unique, innovative and head-turning format twists, our daters will see if forever love can truly grow as they spend the summer living together but potential new partners are always lurking behind the wall…' That might sound good – but it doesn't sound like Blind Date. Essentially it's Married At First Sight on an island, which sounds like a carbon copy of Davina McCall's upcoming BBC dating show, Stranded on Honeymoon Island. Maya Jama is also rumoured to be presenting — which presumably means she's leaving Love Island to front… almost exactly the same show but with a Disney budget and paycheck. But who's it for ? Everything about its new format sounds unoriginal and unappealing to the fans who care. Disney's pitch does little to set Blind Date 2026 apart from the 1,000 other dating shows cluttering up streaming. And with Love is Blind UK and Married at First Sight particularly at the top of their game, I'm struggling to see what the new Blind Date can bring to an already crowded market. Except, of course, its heritage as 'the most successful dating show of all time.' Which makes you wonder why, if it was so loved, Disney is bothering to tinker with the format at all. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It certainly doesn't seem like the new version of the show will feature the studio audience who were such a big part of the original's success. Who can forget their oohs and ahhs at the latest cheesy chat up line, or their gasps when Cilla exposed one contestant with the immortal line 'she's a journalist, ladies and gentleman'? Granted, by the time Cilla's Blind Date ended, its one viewership of sometimes 18million viewers dwindled to around 5million by 2003; people had grown tired of Blind Date. Pop Idol and then The X Factor completely changed the scale of Saturday night television and suddenly Cilla's kitsch studio with a makeshift sliding wall didn't cut it compared to the blockbuster budgets Simon Cowell was throwing at finding the next great popstar. Two decades later though, big money TV has become strangely tired. There's a glaring gap for Blind Date's simplicity on Saturday nights. Plonk it just before or after Strictly and you've got an unbeatable combo of easy television for the whole family. It's relatively gentle approach would also be in contrast to the last primetime Saturday evening dating show – Take Me Out – which was comparatively brutal with its loud 'lights-off' rejection. Dating shows today feel exclusively for young audiences. At 37, even I feel way too old to watch Love Island and while Love Is Blind UK was surprisingly excellent, it's still sexy and young(ish). So much of Blind Date's charm wasn't remotely sexy. And if it did need to be modernised, why not look to First Dates instead of Love Island and MAFS? After 12 years, the show is as wonderful and beloved as ever — proof that simplicity works. Its ability to show that anyone can find love, no matter their story or insecurity, gets me right in the gut every time. Blind Date could be First Dates with a bigger budget, in a bigger slot, for a bigger audience. Saturday night TV is in desperate need of something like that. More Trending I wouldn't have bet on Blind Date being relevant again — but look at the success of Gladiators. That era of 90s Saturday-night telly was never bettered, and it's still drawing in new generations now. But crucially, the format has barely changed. This feels like such a missed opportunity for Blind Date; to instead churn out another deeply unoriginal dating show. View More » Disney+ can still change course and bring us the old-school Blind Date we need. And that would be a nice surprise surprise. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. 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