Coronation Street’s Debbie faces terrifying showdown with prison bully Paula

Debbie Webster’s prison nightmare comes back to haunt her in Coronation Street next week when Paula returns to Weatherfield and confronts the woman she once terrorised behind bars.

Kelli Hollis is reprising her role as Paula, the prison inmate who targeted Debbie during her sentence for the fatal Corriedale crash. Their feud began long before they shared a prison, after Paula was thrown out of the Chariot Square Hotel bar and held a grudge against its owner.

Once inside, Paula established herself as the prison’s top dog and made Debbie’s life miserable. Already struggling with her dementia, Debbie was in a vulnerable position, and Paula was quick to exploit it.

Paula turned on Debbie after she showed compassion

One of the most disturbing moments in their prison history came when Paula arrived in Debbie’s cell in tears after her boyfriend dumped her. Debbie initially tried to comfort her, despite the hostility Paula had shown towards her.

But the situation quickly deteriorated. Debbie made a hurtful remark about Paula and her partner, with her dementia playing a part in the misunderstanding. Paula reacted violently, attacking Debbie and leaving her with a black eye. Lou Michaelis intervened, but she also became a target of Paula’s aggression.

The episode exposed just how unpredictable their relationship had become. Debbie had attempted to show kindness to someone who had repeatedly bullied her, only for the situation to turn frightening.

Debbie eventually won her appeal and returned to Weatherfield, leaving the prison feud behind her. However, Paula’s return means that painful chapter is far from forgotten.

Debbie comes face to face with her tormentor again

Paula is now back at the Chariot Square Hotel, watching Debbie before confronting her and threatening her. Their argument brings the old hostility into Debbie’s everyday life, in a place where she should feel safe.

For Debbie, the encounter is more than an unpleasant meeting with someone from her past. Paula knows how to unsettle her, and their prison history gives the confrontation a much darker edge than an ordinary disagreement.

Kelli Hollis has teased the return herself, warning viewers that Paula’s comeback will not be “plain sailing”. The actress has also confirmed that she was booked for further episodes after her initial stint alongside Debbie in prison.

With Paula back in Debbie’s orbit, the question is how far she intends to take their feud this time. Debbie has already endured intimidation and violence at her hands once. Now, with her dementia adding to the challenges she faces, the return of her former tormentor threatens to reopen old wounds.

Coronation Street airs on ITV and is available to stream on ITVX. Image credit: ITV