A Goodbye Nearly 40 Years in the Making

Coronation Street fans were left stunned and emotional as Jenny Connor, formerly Jenny Bradley, departed Weatherfield in dramatic scenes. Played by Sally Ann Matthews, Jenny first appeared on the cobbles in 1986 before a long absence and triumphant return in 2015. Her sudden farewell this week marked the end of an era — and viewers weren’t ready.

A Final Chapter Written in Tears

Jenny’s exit came after weeks of growing tension. Having formed a complicated connection with undertaker George Shuttleworth, she found herself torn between wanting affection and recognising her own destructive patterns. “I like him, and I wish I really did want him,” she admitted to foster mother Rita Tanner. “But I know what I’m like. I’d get bored and try to change him.”

Rita, unimpressed, called her out — and soon Jenny confessed she wasn’t satisfied in life after losing the Rovers Return. Reflecting on her years behind the bar, she described the pub as a place where she once truly belonged.

In heartbreaking scenes, Rita handed her a one-way ticket to Tenerife. Jenny declined a final drink inside the Rovers, but moments later, she popped her head in, selected Total Eclipse of the Heart on the jukebox, and locked eyes with Rita one last time. Rita silently raised her glass in a tearful goodbye as Jenny slipped away, leaving her old licensee plate in the bin.

Fans Say “She Deserved Better”

While the farewell was poignant, many fans felt the character deserved a more powerful send-off. One viewer wrote: “That Jenny exit! Literally had to double check I didn’t miss something!” Another echoed the sentiment: “It was such a poor exit — Jenny deserved better.”

Others focused on the emotional farewell between Jenny and Rita. One fan admitted: “Was I prepared for Jenny to leave? Maybe, but I wasn’t ready for her and Rita to say goodbye. Long live Barbara Knox.”

A Life of Highs and Heartbreaks

Jenny’s time on Coronation Street has been filled with drama. From her troubled relationship with father Alan Bradley, who infamously met his end under a Blackpool tram, to her turbulent romances, betrayals, and devastating losses, she has lived one of the soap’s most dramatic lives.

Her obsession with motherhood, the tragic drowning of her young son Tom, her kidnapping of Jack Webster, and her ill-fated relationships with Jonny Connor, Leo Thompkins, and Stephen Reid all made Jenny one of the most complex women on the Street.

The End of an Era

Jenny Connor’s exit leaves behind nearly four decades of history, heartbreak, and resilience. Though her final departure may not have satisfied all viewers, it cemented her legacy as one of Weatherfield’s most layered and iconic figures.

For many fans, it wasn’t just the end of Jenny’s journey — it was the closing of a chapter in Coronation Street history.