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Sally Ann Matthews Reveals Brutal Reason for Leaving Coronation Street
23 Feb
Summary
- Actress Sally Ann Matthews left Coronation Street after 39 years.
- She felt the show lost its spark and became too much like a police drama.
- Her character, Jenny Bradley, departed Weatherfield in emotional scenes in October 2025.
Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews, who played Jenny Bradley for 39 years, has disclosed the primary reasons for her departure from the ITV soap. Matthews, 55, explained that the show no longer offered her the creative 'spark' it once did.
She expressed a desire to avoid spending her time on projects she didn't enjoy or with people she didn't connect with. Matthews also felt that Coronation Street was drifting from its core identity, becoming increasingly similar to police dramas.
She suggested that soaps should focus on their unique selling points, lamenting the show's shift away from its traditional narrative. Her character, Jenny Connor, officially left Weatherfield in October 2025 after a poignant farewell.
Jenny's exit was facilitated by Rita Tanner, who encouraged her to seek a fresh start in Tenerife. The character's departure was marked by emotional scenes, leaving many viewers in tears.
