A major paternity mystery is gripping Coronation Street fans, following the seismic revelation that Debbie Webster is Carl Webster's mother, not his sister.
The Bombshell Mother Reveal
In a stunning twist this week, viewers of the long-running ITV soap learned the truth that Carl has been deceived about his parentage his entire life. The secret was confirmed when Debbie was seen holding onto her hospital band from Carl's birth, which named her as his biological mother. This revelation has sent the show's fanbase into a frenzy of speculation, desperately trying to piece together the identity of Carl's father.
Terry Duckworth: The Prime Suspect
The leading theory circulating among dedicated viewers points the finger at a notorious former resident: Terry Duckworth. The son of legendary characters Jack and Vera Duckworth, Terry was a prominent villain on the show decades ago, overlapping with Debbie's original stint on the cobbles.
Fans have taken to social media to connect the dots, suggesting that Carl's own villainous behaviour—including the recent hit-and-run on Tyrone Dobbs—could be explained by inheriting traits from Terry. One popular post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, "Well Carl is a bit like Terry Duckworth in a way," while another fan directly theorised, "I think Terry Duckworth is Carl’s dad."
The speculation has gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok, with one viewer noting the theory "would explain his demeanour [and] may suggest running over Tyrone wasn’t entirely accidental."
Timeline Troubles and Ongoing Questions
However, the theory is not without its complications. Some fans have questioned the timeline, as the dates of Debbie's departure from Weatherfield and Carl's birth don't appear to perfectly align for her to have been visibly pregnant when she left. This has led to suggestions that the pregnancy could have occurred just before or after her exit.
Other viewers have countered that there was little on-screen evidence of a romance between Debbie and Terry during their time on the show together. Despite the debate, the consensus among a vocal section of the audience remains strong, with posts declaring, "My money would be on Terry Duckworth," and "Definitely could be."
Fallout and Future Drama
The truth about Carl's parentage has yet to be disclosed to him on screen, leaving a major plot thread dangling. It is also currently unknown whether Kevin Webster is aware that Carl is Debbie's son, and not his own half-brother as previously believed.
This shocking twist does provide a motive for Debbie's extreme actions, including risking imprisonment to cover for Carl's crime. A major question now looms over whether the truth about Carl being the driver in the crash will be exposed, potentially tearing the Webster family apart.
Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
