Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews axed from ITV soap
She first appeared on the ITV soap (as Jenny Connor) back in 1986.
Matthews departed the show in 1991, and apart from a brief appearance in 1993, she returned to cobbles in 2015.
However, Matthews is now set for her second departure from Coronation Street, revealing on Friday (August 1) that she will be leaving the ITV soap after "doing an extra ten years".
In a post on Instagram, she said: "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."
A post shared by Sally Ann Matthews (@sallyannmatthews)
Fellow TV stars and fans of the show took to social media following the news to share just how "wonderful" Matthews had been on Coronation Street and how much she would be missed.
Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, commenting on Matthews' Instagram post, said: "You've been absolutely wonderful!"
While former Coronation Street and Casualty actress Melanie Hill commented: "Onwards Sal. Corrie will miss you."
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One fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter), wrote: "Losing Sally Ann Matthews and Sue Devaney is going to hit #Corrie HARD given the lack of classic Corrie characters in that demographic. Jenny and Debbie ARE Corrie.
"How much left is there that we can call true Corrie. Bad omens, think there's a genuine crisis there."
Another added: "Even though I'm not watching corrie atm sally ann matthews leaving is going to be a massive loss for the show."
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