The Coronation Street legend is said to be leaving the ITV soap in a shock exit, nearly 40 years after first stepping onto the cobbles, following reports of her departure earlier this year.
A Coronation Street icon has officially bowed out of the soap, nearly four decades after first stepping onto the cobbles.
Sally Ann Matthews, best known for playing Jenny Connor, appeared to make her exit from the ITV soap on Wednesday (October 1). The actress had previously confirmed her departure back in August.
In an emotional Instagram statement, she reflected: “I was originally only meant to stay for five months but ended up staying an extra ten years because I loved it so much! But now it’s time to take on the roles I always dreamed of when I ‘grew up’. Thank you Trafford Wharf Road for the memories and endless laughter x.”
Jenny’s apparent final scenes aired on Wednesday night, with the character saying goodbye to Weatherfield as she headed off to begin a new life in Tenerife. While fans knew she was leaving, the dramatic nature of her exit storyline still came as a surprise, with no spoilers giving it away beforehand.
In the episode, Rita gave Jenny an envelope filled with cash. Jenny had lied to her love interest, George, making him believe that Rita was dying after her fall — but the truth eventually came out.
Jenny admits to Rita that she’s a “sad, lonely fool” and explains that George makes her feel “seen.” Rita advises her to apologise for deceiving him.
Later, at the funeral parlour, Jenny says to George: “I wanted to apologise for misleading you about Rita.” George replies: “Was it supposed to be a joke, or some kind of test?”
George scolds Jenny for using Rita as an excuse to spend more time with him instead of Christina. After some soul-searching about her life on the cobbles, George suggests she could begin afresh in Tenerife.
At first, Jenny protests that she can’t leave Rita behind, but both George and Rita agree it would be the best step for her. When Jenny comes back, Rita hands her the bundle of cash and says: “It’s for a flight – one way.”
Rita tells her: “It’s time you started liking yourself again, and I don’t think you’ll find that here. Who wants to live a life always feeling grateful? And if you stay around long enough, it’ll be my turn. I’ve got good friends here, and I’ll be just fine.”
Jenny insists it’s “not goodbye”, but Rita replies: “It is for today” and promises to visit her in Tenerife. Rita breaks down in tears as Jenny reassures her foster mother that she’ll be there if Rita ever needs her.
Rita responds: “Don’t say that, Jenny, don’t say that. I’ll be alright.” Jenny then walks out of the pub, throws her old Rovers Return Inn licensee plate into the bin, and leaves the cobbles behind.
Sally Ann Matthews first played Jenny Bradley from 1986 to 1991, made a brief return in 1993, and rejoined the soap full-time in 2015.
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