By Jessica Sansome

Copyright manchestereveningnews

It’s the end of an era in Coronation Street as Sally Ann Matthews final scenes aired – 40 years after she made her debut. The actress was seen leaving Weatherfield behind during the latest episode of the ITV soap, as Jenny Connor decided to start a new life in Spain following her recent woes. Jenny – whose last name was then Bradley – made her first appearance in the programme in 1986, when Oldham-born Sally was just 16. The daughter of villain Alan Bradley, Jenny was taken in by mother figure Rita Tanner – then Rita Fairclough – while her father worked away. After five years, Sally quit the show in pursuit of other roles. She returned briefly in 1993, before making a huge comeback in 2015 when Jenny started dating Kevin Webster and the rest, as they say, was history. It was in August that Sally took to Instagram to confirm the news of her exit. She shared a picture of Jenny during the child kidnap storyline, which marked her last return to the soap, and wrote: “I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much! “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.” Speaking more about her departure, Sally admitted: “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!,” she confessed. She continued when speaking to the Bolton News : “I had the best time creating a character that could be absolutely bonkers and over the top, to sensitive and vulnerable.” She added the uniqueness of her role saw her go through a wide range of emotions, before paying tribute to the “best crew in the business”. Last month, The Sun reported that Sally had filmed her final exit, with a source saying: “Sal wanted a low-key exit. She said her goodbyes and has now left Manchester. She was filming her exit when news about her axing first came to light.” They then added: “She didn’t want a big leaving do or anything and just wanted to leave as quickly as she could. She filmed her final scenes and was gone.” During Wednesday’s (October 1) visit to the famous Street, which was available to watch on ITVX from 7am before airing at 8pm the same evening, viewers saw Jenny Connor leave her life in Weatherfield behind. The former Rovers Return landlady found herself caught out in a lie after she let her crush, George Shuttleworth, think that Rita Tanner was dying after she suffered a fall earlier this week, as she remained jealous of his blossoming relationship with Christina Boyd. Undertaker George was horrified with Jenny heading to the funeral parlour to apologise. But when she was there, she found an order of service for a woman just a year older than her who had just died. It made Jenny think about her own life, and was later heard talking about her happiness in the Rovers, having spent her early years watching Bet Lynch in charge of the beloved boozer. “I watched her swanning around, queen bee, in this world that was all her’s and I never imagined one day that would be me,” she said. “Or that one day I felt that I would really belong there. I’ve still got the name plate. It’s under my bed.” George then suggested she go off to Tenerife to restart her life, but Jenny claim she couldn’t as she had to care for Rita. The undertaker then got involved and spoke to Rita, later handed Jenny and envelope of cash and told Jenny: “It’s for a flight – one way. “It’s time you start liking yourself again and I don’t think that’s something you’re getting round here. Who wants to spend life being grateful? And if you stick around here long enough it’ll be my turn. I’ve got friends around here, good friends. I will be alright.” She eventually walked out of the Rovers for the final time and with cases in hand, headed for her new life in Spain, with one last knowing glance between her and Rita.