Emmerdale actress Charley Webb has opened up about the emotional toll of her mother's dementia diagnosis, admitting she has 'never felt so alone.' The 35-year-old, who played Debbie Dingle on the soap, broke down in tears during an interview on The Life of Bryony podcast.
Webb, who split from her co-star Matthew Wolfenden in November 2023 after 15 years together, said she is struggling to cope with her mother Helen's illness. 'I don't think I've ever felt so alone as when that diagnosis happened,' she confessed. 'To be honest, I still don't think I've processed it.'
The mother-of-three explained that there is insufficient support for those caring for loved ones with dementia, describing the experience as 'very isolating.' She added: 'It's hard to watch. I really struggle to go and see my mum without getting upset.' Webb previously revealed that her mother was just 64 when diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2015.
In a candid Instagram post, Webb wrote: 'These last 8 years have been a learning curve, a grieving process and something all of her children have struggled with. Even though she's still here, I miss her.' She also spoke on This Morning about the moment she realised her mother's condition was serious, saying she 'knew in her gut' something was wrong.
Webb and Wolfenden, who have three children together, announced their split in November 2023, stating they remain friends with their children as their priority. A source later claimed the couple were 'in very different places in their lives.'
