Jenny Connor, played by Sally Ann Matthews, has left the ITV soap after 39 years
Coronation Street’s Jenny Connor, played by Sally Ann Matthews, bid a poignant farewell to the cobbles in Wednesday’s episode, marking the end of an era.
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The episode, which is now available on ITV X and will air at 8pm on ITV, saw Jenny leave for a new life in Tenerife after 39 years on the show.
Sally, 55, first appeared on the popular ITV soap in 1986 and her departure was announced back in August.
In the lead up to her exit, Jenny had been vying for the affections of George Shuttleworth, hoping to outdo love rival Christina Boyd.
Ahead of a dating night at the Rovers Return Inn, George’s sister Glenda Shuttleworth hatched a plan to rig the event so that Jenny would have the first shot at George, reports the Daily Star.
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However, when Rita Tanner fell and Jenny was informed, she left the event early, her heart heavy.
In a shocking turn of events, Jenny used Rita’s fall to her advantage, misleading George into thinking Rita was seriously ill so he would bring her soup.
But the truth soon came out when Brian Packham revealed to George that Rita merely had a sprained ankle.
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This drama led Jenny to reassess her life, apologising to Rita and admitting that she felt lost. She confessed that she didn’t even want George; she just didn’t want Christina to have him.
Later whilst making amends with George, Jenny noticed a funeral order of service for a woman of a similar age to herself. This prompted Jenny to reflect on her own existence, confessing to George that she fancied heading off to Tenerife to stay with a mate and graft in the bars overseas.
After their conversation, George had a word with Rita, revealing that Jenny wasn’t content and harboured dreams of relocating to Tenerife. Later in the programme, Rita stunned Jenny with a single ticket to Tenerife, urging her to depart and rediscover herself.
Having confirmed Rita would manage fine, Jenny pledged to travel as Jenny Bradley rather than using her previous married surname Jenny Connor. The pair of cobbles icons shared a touching goodbye as Jenny chucked her old Rovers Return Inn landlady plaque into the rubbish before setting off for her fresh start…
Though it was already known Jenny was departing, the departure plot caught soap viewers off guard on Wednesday as nothing had been verified in advance spoilers yet.
Announcing her departure back in August, Jenny actress Sally penned at the time: “I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much!”.
She continued: “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.”
Sally originally played Jenny Bradley from 1986 until 1991, made a short return in 1993, before coming back permanently in 2015.
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Coronation Street continues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV and ITV X.
