Coronation Street icon confirmed to be leaving soap 39 years after debut
The departing star says she's grateful for "the memories and endless laughter".
Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews has confirmed that she is leaving the ITV soap.
The actor has played fan-favourite character Jenny Connor (also known as Jenny Bradley) on and off since 1986, and announcing the news on social media, Matthews paid tribute to the show.
She wrote on Instagram: "I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much! It’s time though to play those parts I always hoped I would when I’d ’grown up.’
"Thanks Trafford Wharf Rd for the memories and endless laughter x"
An ITV spokesperson declined to comment further on the news when contacted by Radio Times.
Matthews joined Corrie as Jenny in 1986, featuring in storylines involving her father Alan Bradley (Mark Eden) and foster mum Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox).
She left in 1991 and following a brief return two years later, she made a full comeback in 2015 and has been a key part of the cobbles ever since.
Some of her major plots over the years have included her tumultuous marriage to Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley), her decision to kidnap Kevin Webster's (Michael Le Vell) son Jack, and her time as landlady of the Rovers Return.
Responding to Matthews's exit post on social media, co-stars and fans praised the actor and shared how much they will miss seeing Jenny in Weatherfield.
Todd Boyce, who played the villainous Stephen Reid on the soap, wrote: "Love you & thank you for being an amazing Coronation Street dame. What a golden baton you are passing on. It will take some doing to fill your shoes Sal."
Meanwhile, Cathy Matthews star Melanie Hill added: "Onwards Sal... Corrie will miss you x"
Jenny is the latest long-running Corrie name confirmed to be leaving the soap, with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) and Craig Tinker (Colson Smith) both departing in recent months, and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) set to exit at the end of the year.
In better news though, Jane Hazlegrove – who plays Bernie Winter – confirmed this week that she has renewed her contract to stay on the show, while Dame Maureen Lipman will soon be seen again as Evelyn Plummer.
Read more:
- 9 Coronation Street spoilers next week: Bernie Winter collapses at Dev wedding and Aadi makes a confession
- Coronation Street character tipped to be killed off in "explosive scenes" after 11 dramatic years in ITV soap
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Christian Tobin is the Production Editor for Radio Times, overseeing all online content and editing digital articles across TV, Film, Gaming and more. He previously worked as Chief Sub-Editor at Digital Spy and has a BA in English Language and Literature from University College London.
