Coronation Street legend Sally Ann Matthews has said her character had “been through enough” after announcing she would be leaving the show.
Matthews, known for playing the Rovers Return landlady Jenny Connor, announced she would be leaving the soap on Friday, August 1, after decades in Weatherfield.
In an exclusive interview, she looked back on her time on the cobbles and looked ahead to her future plans.
Having made her debut on the soap in 1986, as Alan Bradley’s daughter, she made a shock return in 2016, which was only meant to last a matter of months.
However, Matthews, who was born in Oldham, ended up staying on for another decade and explained that she had the best time in this period, “creating a character that could be absolutely bonkers”.
She said: “After being held hostage four times, losing the love of her life every October for three years on the trot, I think Jenny has been through enough!
“I had the best time creating a character that could be absolutely bonkers and over the top, to sensitive and vulnerable. There aren’t many jobs where you get to play a wide range of emotions- often in the same scene!
“We have the best crew in the business, and at Trafford Wharf Rd, you laugh from the minute you walk in the building.”
Some of her major plots over the years have included a turbulent marriage to Johnny Connor, played by Richard Hawley, her decision to kidnap Kevin Webster’s, played by Michael Le Vell, son Jack and her time as landlady at the pub.
Whilst there have been many standout moments, Matthews said that some of her most standout days were filming the sinkhole scenes with Richard Hawley.
She added: “There are so many highlights. I absolutely loved working with Charlotte Jordan but I think my most standout days were filming the sink hole scenes with Richard Hawley.”
Matthews is the latest long-running Corrie name confirmed to be leaving the soap, with Shelley King, who was played by Yasmeen Metcalfe, Charlotte Jordan and Colson Smith, who played Craig Tinker, all having left the soap in the past year.
However, the actress says she is looking forward to a period away from the screen and spending time with her dog and her family, but looks forward to playing other roles across mediums in the future.
She added: “I’ve worked away from home for almost 11 years, so having time in the garden with my dog and family is a priority right now!
“I’ve been very fortunate in my career to work across all mediums and hopefully that will continue!”
