Legendary Coronation Street star confirms they're leaving soap after a decade on screens - leaving soap fans 'heartbroken'
The actor confirmed the news on Instagram in a heartfelt post that sent shockwaves through the fanbase, with many branding the exit 'the worst news.'
Sally Ann Matthews revealed she is saying goodbye to Jenny Connor, the fiery landlady of the Rovers Return.
Sally, 54, first joined the cobbles back in 1986 before returning in 2015 for what was supposed to be a five-month stint, but turned into ten years.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, she 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.'
Fans immediately flooded the comments, with one devastated viewer writing: 'Are you as heartbroken as me?' Another said: 'Oh my god no! Jenny Connor what am I to do without you on the cobbles?'
A third chimed in with: 'You know how much we absolutely adore you, absolutely gutted to see you go, Thank you for all the memories, you have my support forever and ever.'
The emotional farewell comes just as a new storyline for Jenny was teased this week, hinting at a potential romance for the iconic character - though it now appears the fling will be short-lived.
Earlier this year, Jenny's stepdaughter Daisy Midgeley fled the Street with Jenny's money, fuelling rumours that Sally Ann's exit might be on the cards.
Confirming fans' fears, Sally posted a throwback from her return storyline in 2015, which saw Jenny tangled in drama with Kevin Webster and his son Jack.
Another fan summed up the mood with: 'Omg Sal! Thank you for all the memories, you're the BEST at Jenny, you will be so missed.'
It follows the Corrie star's claims that ITV 'has no money', and she revealed the one part of the soap she 'hates' filming.
In previous years the show has filmed in various locations, although it's currently based in MediaCity in Salford, Manchester.
It was previously housed in the northern city's Granada Studios home and loyal fans of the show can even take a tour of the set on Salford Quays.
And while much of the filming is based in the studio, there have been occasions where the cast and crew have ventured out, including when Eileen Grimshaw threw Pat Phelan off a cliff and when Rita's husband Alan Bradley was killed by a tram in Blackpool.
But while some actors might enjoy taking a trip away from set, Sally Ann is not a fan and told fans: 'We don't do on location… right… okay so the whole 'Corrie doesn't do location any more.
'Thankfully because I fricking hate being on location - location is s**t - I hate it.'
She then revealed that the real reason the broadcaster doesn't encourage location filming anymore is because they don't have the budget for it.
Sally Ann claimed: 'So I'm glad ITV have got no money - am I allowed to say that? Well I have said it.'
And the news of her departure follows fan fears she had been sacked after posting a video in June last year where she admitted she had been given 'a million years off'.
Sally, who made her first appearance on the show in 1986, took to Instagram to tell fans they should get used to not seeing her around.
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