The Rovers Return Inn won’t be the same without Jenny Connor as Sally Ann Matthews revealed she was taking a break from Coronation Street.
Matthews, 53, has been a part of life in the cobbles for several decades as she has portrayed her legendary character since 1986, although she has often tried to start afresh away from Weatherfield.
But during an Instagram live session, the actress has recently teased that she followed in her character’s footsteps as she announced she had “a million years off” and made the most of her break by jetting off abroad, where she’s keen to find another job.
Unfortunately, for Jenny Connor fans, this means the Rovers will be left under Daisy Midgeley and Glenda Shuttleworth’s supervision as the landlady won’t be on our screens in the upcoming weeks. “I chose to get on an aeroplane because I’m particularly quiet at work”, Matthews explained.
Sally Ann Matthews has portrayed Jenny Connor since 1986 – but has her time in Weatherfield really come to an end? (
“I’ve got like a million years off, so I chose to go on an areoplane. I’ve been to Cyprus twice in the past five weeks, and we landed last night and we came back”, she added. Before teasing another trip away: “My next holiday plans are on Saturday. We’re going to go off on the boat, and then I’m going to just chill on the boat and do nowt, pretty much. And then I’m going to go back to Cyprus and do nowt. And at some point, I might get a job and someone might employ me, potentially.”
Alarmed fans quickly responded to her claims with a string of questions, begging to know if she had officially and permanently signed off from Coronation Street but the soap star added to the mystery, stating: “You’re not going to be seeing Jenny for quite a long while. So that’s that.”
However, a source has claimed that Sally Ann Matthews has no plans to take a break from her role in the long-running soap opera. Viewers of the Manchester-based program were left in shock when Helen Worth was announced to be leaving the soap herself after 50 years. The actress gained recognition in the program as Audrey Roberts’ daughter and family woman Gail Platt.
Speaking about her own decision to leave the Street, Worth said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world. I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.”
She continued: “I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew. The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”
It’s understood that the Corrie veteran will film her final scenes next month, in July 2024, and these will be aired at the end of the year. Worth’s co-stars have since reacted to the actress’ upcoming swan song with her on-screen daughter Tina O’Brien writing on social media: “Can’t put into words how much I love and adore Helen.” Maria Connor’s Samia Longchambon echoed: “We will miss Helen so much!” while Colson Smith aka Craig Tinker agreed: “A Corrie Icon.” Lucy Fallon, who plays Gail’s granddaughter Bethany Platt on the long-running soap, reacted with a single tear-crying emoji.
The Daily Mirror has reached out to Sally Ann Matthews’ representatives for comment
