Coronation Street fans were left emotional on Wednesday night as a legendary character made a sudden exit, with many saying she deserved a more fitting farewell from the cobbles.
Coronation Street viewers were left stunned after a legendary character made a sudden exit on Wednesday night, nearly four decades after first arriving on the cobbles. Sally Ann Matthews first appeared as Jenny Bradley — now Jenny Connor — in January 1986, remaining until the early 1990s before making a permanent return just over a decade ago.
In midweek scenes from the world’s longest-running soap, it was revealed that Jenny, originally introduced as Rita Tanner’s (Barbara Knox) foster daughter, had left Weatherfield for good. Her departure left some fans “in tears,” while others felt less affected.
Recently, Jenny had begun to develop feelings for George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley), though his attention was focused on her rival, Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins). Having previously co-managed the Rovers with stepdaughter Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan), Jenny was taken aback when Rita handed her an envelope full of cash.
Rita had intended the money to fund a date between Jenny and George, giving them the chance to clear the air.
Earlier that day, George stopped by The Kabin with some soup, but Jenny misled him into thinking Rita was seriously ill. When he later learned the truth, he was unimpressed — and so was Rita. This pushed Jenny into admitting some uncomfortable truths, according to the Mirror.
She confessed to her former foster mother that she hadn’t felt truly happy since losing the Rovers and had simply enjoyed the attention George gave her.
“I like him, and I wish I genuinely wanted to be with him. But I know myself — I’d get bored and try to change him into someone more exciting. Christina doesn’t deserve that.”
An exasperated Rita shot back: “That’s no reason to try and win him over, and I still think you should apologise for how you’ve behaved. And not just to George!”
Jenny joined the ranks of iconic characters who have run the nation’s most famous pub, following in the footsteps of Annie Walker (Doris Speed), Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear), and Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard). However, her time at the Rovers hit a rocky patch when Christina and Daisy orchestrated a complicated scam that left her financially out of pocket and forced her to give up control.
Later, Jenny reflected: “If this were my last year on earth, what would I do? I can only think of what I wouldn’t do. You know when you’ve been truly happy somewhere? I had a job at the Rovers when I first lived around here. Bet Lynch — or Bet Gilroy as she was then — gave it to me. I’d watch her strutting around, Queen Bee in a world that was entirely hers, and I never imagined that one day it would be me or that I’d feel like I truly belonged there. I’ve still got the name plate.”
Jenny had one final confrontation with Christina, calling her “rude and selfish,” before Rita handed her a one-way ticket to Tenerife. Rita suggested a last drink at the Rovers, but an emotional Jenny couldn’t face it, resulting in a tearful farewell outside the pub.
Rita then went in for a drink with Brian Packham. Eventually, Jenny peeked through the door, played Total Eclipse of the Heart on the jukebox, and Rita silently, tearfully, toasted her. After leaving for the last time, Jenny threw her licensee plate in the bin and walked away from the cobbles for good.
Fans, however, felt this farewell didn’t do justice to a character who had become such an icon of the Street. One wrote: “That Jenny exit! Literally had to double-check I didn’t miss something!” Another added: “Such a poor exit — Jenny deserved better.”
A third fan commented: “Was I ready for Jenny to leave #Corrie? Maybe, but I wasn’t ready for her and Rita to say goodbye. Long live Barbara Knox.” Meanwhile, a fourth confessed: “Oh my god, I’m tearing up on the train. Why did Jenny have to leave?”
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