Sally Ann Matthews, who is best known for having starred as Jenny Bradley on Coronation Street, has announced a huge career move after quitting the cobbles last year
18:02, 14 Jan 2026Updated 19:11, 14 Jan 2026
Coronation Street legend Sally Ann Matthews has revealed her next career move - just months after she was axed from the world's longest-running TV soap. The actress, 55, first played Jenny Bradley on the Manchester-based serial throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s before making a comeback in 2015.
Towards the end of last year, however, the character, who by that point had become the landlady of the Rovers Return, departed the cobbles for good after leaving for Tenerife following a string of failed relationships and now she has announced her next venture.
Sally Ann, who has also starred in Emmerdale and appeared in Waterloo Road, has also appeared in numerous touring plays away from her time on television, and memorably sang What I Did For Love from classic musical A Chorus Line in an episode of Coronation Street in 1986.
But she has now landed one of the leading roles in Here & Now, the jukebox musical based on the songs of legendary pop group Steps, taking over the part of supermarket boss Patricia from 23 January as the hit show continues its UK tour.
Alongside a post on Instagram on Monday, the official Instagram for the musical wrote: "Coronation Street's Sally Ann Matthews swaps the cobbles for the dancefloor as she joins the cast of HERE & Now. Sal is your Patricia from 23 January 2026." Underneath it, the soap star simply said: "So excited!"
The musical functions in a similar style other jukebox shows like ABBA's Mamma Mia! and Queen's We Will Rock You, and the back catalogue of Steps, made up of Faye Tozer, Claire Richards, Lee Latchford-Evans, Lisa Scott-Lee and Ian 'H' Watkins, make up the score to aid the story. The musical, which premiered in Birmingham in late 2024, follows a group of employees at the Better Best Bargains supermarket as they vow to spend the summer finding love. As Patricia, Sally Ann will play the ruthless supermarket boss, and the role has recently been played by Finty Williams, the daughter of Dame Judi Dench.
The group's most famous tracks like Tragedy, 5,6,7,8 and One For Sorrow are all in there, as well as offerings from their newest eras, such as Scared of the Dark, Story of a Heart and What The Future Holds. After announcing her exit from Coronation Street Instagram, much to the disappointment of fans, Sally Ann shared another update regarding her upcoming departure. "After being held hostage four times, losing the love of her life every October for three years on the trot, I think Jenny has been through enough!," she confessed.
Speaking to Bolton News, she went on: "I had the best time creating a character that could be absolutely bonkers and over the top, to sensitive and vulnerable."
She added the uniqueness of her role saw her go through a wide range of emotions, before paying tribute to the "best crew in the business". As she went on, Sally admitted there had been many highlights during her time on the set.
"I’ve worked away from home for almost 11 years," she said, "so having time in the garden with my dog and family is a priority right now! I’ve been very fortunate in my career to work across all mediums and hopefully that will continue!"
Initially, 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 x."
Viewers have been left gutted by the news, sharing their reactions both on X and under Sally's Instagram post on Friday. One fan called it "the worst news" as another said: "Are you as heartbroken as me???"
A third viewer shared: "Oh my god no…?! Jenny Connor what am I to do without you on the cobbles?!" A fourth added: "Very sad," as others replied to Sally, sharing they were "gutted".
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.