Sally Ann Matthews Opens Up About Coronation Street Departure
After an impressive four-decade tenure on one of Britain's most beloved soap operas, actress Sally Ann Matthews has candidly revealed the genuine reasons behind her decision to leave Coronation Street. The performer, who first appeared on the cobbles in 1986 as the rebellious Jenny Connor, departed the iconic ITV series in October of last year, marking the end of an era for both the actress and the show's dedicated viewership.
From Teenage Rebel to Weatherfield Royalty
Matthews originally joined the cast as a fifteen-year-old playing Jenny, the foster daughter of Rita Tanner portrayed by Barbara Knox. Her character's introduction brought dramatic storylines including the infamous Blackpool tram death of her birth father, Alan Bradley. "I feel very grateful that I was in it then and I was also put in with Barbara and Mark," Matthews reminisced about her early days. "I'd not done anything, I was only 15 – so I learned everything from them. Nowadays, Barbara still tells me off and I say 'Well you made me!'"
After initially leaving Weatherfield in 1993, Matthews returned over twenty years later following multiple rejected requests due to concerns about typecasting. Her character experienced seismic storylines including the tragic death of her infant son leading to a psychotic breakdown, the kidnapping of Kevin Webster's young son, marriage to Johnny Connor and his subsequent sinkhole death, and claiming ownership of the iconic Rover's Return pub before losing everything in a failed scheme with step-daughter Daisy Midgeley.
The Real Reasons Behind the Exit
When discussing her departure with The Mirror, Matthews explained that her decision stemmed from a fundamental lack of enjoyment and creative fulfillment. "Every year, when your contract comes round there's that question: 'Am I enjoying it?' If I am, I say 'Yes I'd like to stay,'" she began. "When you come to a point where you're not enjoying it, you say no. I'm very fortunate that I'm in a position where I can say, 'I don't want to do that'. It doesn't excite me. It doesn't challenge me. It doesn't spark joy!"
The actress, now 55, emphasized her desire to avoid wasting time on projects that no longer bring her satisfaction. "I'm 55 now, I don't wanna waste my time doing stuff that I'm not enjoying with people that I am not enjoying doing it with," she stated frankly.
Concerns About Coronation Street's Direction
Matthews echoed growing concerns among both cast members and viewers about the show's evolving direction. She revealed that she had been "switching off from the show a bit" and noted practical production issues like the unavailability of classic sets like The Kabin due to space being allocated to hospital and police station sets.
"We, as a cast, have been having these conversations for three or four years, and the crew – their family and people in the street, saying they don't watch it anymore," Matthews disclosed. "They said 'Oh it's all about the police, I don't know who anybody is.'"
The actress questioned the research driving the show's creative decisions, stating that while audience data supposedly indicates viewers want crime-heavy storylines inspired by true crime dramas on Netflix, she has yet to meet a single audience member who actually feels that way. "Apparently all these stories are all being led by audience opinion but I'm yet to meet a single audience member that feels that way," she remarked.
Matthews expressed concern that the soap has drifted from its core identity. "The thing about soaps was about knowing those characters, knowing how they would react in a certain situation. Now, stories aren't character-led. If I wanted to watch a police drama, I'd watch Line of Duty. If I wanted to watch a hospital drama, I'd watch ER! I really think the soap genre should stick to its USP!"
While acknowledging Coronation Street's importance to ITV's overall ratings, Matthews emphasized that "Corrie needs to stay in its lane and be what it is – which is a soap!"
A New Chapter in Musical Theatre
Following her departure from Weatherfield, Matthews has embraced a completely different creative challenge in the musical Here & Now: The Steps Musical. She plays Patricia, a bolshy manageress with a penchant for butchering the French language, in what she describes as a production full of "pure, unadulterated fun."
The role came about through an unexpected connection with Steps singer Claire Richards. "She didn't tell me, but she actually asked the producers to approach me," Matthews revealed. "So I messaged her and told her I've just had a phone call about Patricia. She said 'Will you do it, please?' Because she knows I just love Steps! It's going to be a lot of fun."
Matthews, who admits she never imagined herself performing in musical theatre, shared her personal connection to the pop group. "I took my niece to see Steps when they were at the NEC in 2000, she was about six. In 2017, she took me to the NEC to see them. Then we went in 2021. And now she's bringing her son, my great nephew, he's five, to come and see our show. So we're getting him indoctrinated with Steps at an early age!"
With Jenny Connor now residing in Tenerife and Matthews embarking on her theatrical adventure, both the actress and her iconic character have entered exciting new chapters far removed from the familiar cobbles of Coronation Street.
