Coronation Street delivered a New Year shock that has left its loyal audience questioning their own eyes. In a recent episode that aired on Monday, 29th December 2025, the beloved character Glenda Shuttleworth, played by actress Jodie Prenger, dropped a bombshell about her age that sent social media into a frenzy.
The Birthday Bombshell That Rocked the Cobbles
The storyline centred on a joint birthday celebration for the Shuttleworth siblings. While George, portrayed by Tony Maudsley, is set to turn 60 in a fortnight, the party also marked Glenda's milestone. The real shock came when it was revealed that Glenda wasn't just having any birthday – she was celebrating her 50th. The revelation left her feeling sidelined at her own party, as Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) doted on boyfriend George, prompting Glenda to confess her loneliness to Sean Tully (Antony Cotton).
The reaction was instant and incredulous. Even George's on-screen brother, actor Tony Maudsley, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his mock outrage. He posted a screenshot from the show with the caption: "So Glenda's 50 and George is 60!!! These Corrie writers clearly hate us because neither of us looks a day over 28!!"
Viewers React With Utter Disbelief
Fans quickly echoed Maudsley's sentiment, flooding social media with their stunned reactions. One viewer declared, "glenda is NOT 50 i thought that was a joke ???", while another insisted, "I refuse to believe Glenda is 50 she looks 25 ?". The consensus was clear: the character's youthful appearance made the age reveal seem utterly unrealistic to a large portion of the audience.
Another fan pointed out the irony, writing, "wait sorry sorry you lot are so unserious calling everything a gd plot hole and bad writing when corrie did the most unrealistic insane thing today w/ glenda’s FIFTIETH!? that woman isn’t a day over 35."
A Unifying Call for Glenda to Find Love
Beyond the age shock, Glenda's heartfelt admission of loneliness resonated deeply with Coronation Street viewers. Her confession sparked a widespread campaign among fans for the character to finally find happiness and romance. One fan tweeted emphatically, "Glenda’s 50? GET HER SOME HAPPINESS NOW!"
This public desire aligns with comments made by Jodie Prenger in past interviews. Speaking to Digital Spy last year, Prenger explained Glenda's defensive humour, stating she uses jokes to mask a deep-seated longing to be loved. "I feel the essence of it is that she just wants to be loved by someone," Prenger said, highlighting the character's vulnerable core beneath the brash exterior.
Although Glenda had a brief romance with Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell), it was short-lived. In a subsequent interview with Radio Times, Prenger humorously addressed the split and expressed hope for her character's future, even joking about a dream pairing with actor Pedro Pascal.
Prenger further elaborated, telling fans, "God love her, she’s been on every dating site!" while expressing a wish for Glenda to find a lasting, if perhaps drama-filled, love story on the famous cobbles.
The episode has successfully fused audience shock with genuine empathy. As one viewer perfectly summarised: "It's not fair Glenda is lonely. Somebody go love her right now! And how is she 50?" The debate over her age and the rallying cry for her happiness have cemented this moment as a standout soap storyline as the year draws to a close.
