Sally Ann Matthews will forever be remembered by Coronation Street fans as Jenny Bradley, the rebellious teenager who first arrived in Weatherfield in 1986. After leaving in 1993, she returned over two decades later to take on the coveted role of Rovers Return landlady. However, last year the actress, now 55, announced her departure once again, wrapping up her stint with a final exit to Tenerife in October.
The Oldham-born actress, who shares two adult sons with her husband of 26 years, senior barrister Nick Rhodes, reflects on why she decided to leave the soap again and what life looks like beyond the cobbles.
“Every year when my contract comes up, I ask myself: ‘Am I enjoying this?’ If the answer is yes, I stay. If not, I say no,” Sally Ann explains. She emphasises that, at this stage in her life, she won’t commit to projects that don’t inspire or excite her. “I’m fortunate to be able to say, ‘I don’t want to do that.’ It doesn’t spark joy, it doesn’t challenge me,” she states bluntly.
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Her character Jenny had endured a rollercoaster of dramatic events including the tragic death of her husband Johnny Connor in a sinkhole accident, losing other lovers, and being conned by her stepdaughter Daisy. These intense storylines contributed to her feeling disconnected from the show. “I was switching off from the show a bit. I was supposed to go into The Kabin but they couldn’t get the set in because there were so many hospital and police station sets.”
Sally Ann is critical of Coronation Street’s current direction, arguing it has strayed from its roots. “The show has become about police dramas and hospital scenes rather than character-driven stories,” she says, noting that long-time cast members and fans often comment on how the show now revolves around crime stories and non-linear storytelling, influenced by popular true crime dramas on platforms like Netflix.
“If I wanted to watch a police drama, I’d watch Line of Duty. If I wanted hospital drama, I’d watch ER! I think soaps should stick to what they do best – their unique selling point,” she insists. For ITV, Coronation Street remains a major ratings draw, but Sally Ann believes it should stay true to the soap genre’s core — exploring community and character.
Reflecting fondly on her early days on the show, Sally Ann recalls learning her craft alongside legends like Barbara Knox and Mark Eden. “I was only 15 when I started and learned everything from them. Barbara still tells me off now, and I say, ‘Well, you made me!’” she laughs. Her final scenes were emotional but understated, with Rita raising a glass to Jenny in a heartfelt farewell.
Life beyond Coronation Street has brought new opportunities and joys. After over a decade of commuting between London and Manchester, Sally Ann has enjoyed spending more time at home with her husband, even impressing fans with her breadmaking skills on Instagram.
Now, she’s excited to star in “Here and Now,” a jukebox musical featuring the hits of Steps. The musical, set in a supermarket called Better Best Bargains, follows employees seeking love before the summer ends. A long-time fan of the group, Sally Ann jumped at the chance to play Patricia, the fiery store manager. The role was even recommended by Steps member Claire Richards herself.
Taking on musical theatre is new for Sally Ann, who had not trained in this area. She recalls the surprise of receiving the offer: “Claire asked the producers to approach me without telling me beforehand. When I got the call, I was thrilled. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
As she embarks on this new chapter, Sally Ann embraces her 50s as a liberating and fulfilling decade, focusing on projects that truly ignite her passion.