Coronation Street fans in tears as soap legend exits 39 years after debut

ITV Coronation Street fans were left emotional as Jenny Connor made a dramatic departure from Weatherfield after nearly four decades on the cobbles. The long-running character, played by Sally Ann Matthews, was seen packing her bags and saying goodbye in farewell scenes, bringing an end to a storyline that has seen her spiral since losing her beloved role as landlady of the Rovers Return.

Jenny's troubles began when Carla Connor (Alison King) was forced to put the pub on the market to recoup the money Jenny had stolen. Stripped of her status behind the bar, Jenny struggled to find her place, taking shifts in the Kabin alongside Rita Tanner ( Barbara Knox). But it was clear that filling sweet jars and sorting newspapers wasn't enough to satisfy her. At the same time, Jenny was caught up in a messy pursuit of George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley). To make matters worse, his attention had been stolen by none other than Jenny's arch-rival Christina Midgeley (Amy Robbins).

In an attempt to claw back George's sympathy, Jenny exaggerated the seriousness of Rita's fall, but the lie quickly unravelled when George discovered the truth from Brian Packham, played by Peter Gunn.

Rita wasted no time in confronting her surrogate daughter, giving her a stern talking-to and demanding she face up to what she was becoming.

The tough love struck a chord, and Jenny admitted she was feeling unfulfilled and no longer recognised herself.

A visit to George's undertakers, where she spotted an order of service for a woman barely older than her, only hammered home her fears that life was passing her by.

Although Jenny mentioned the possibility of escaping to Tenerife, she insisted she couldn't abandon Rita. But George, sensing how desperately she needed a change, secretly reached out to Rita.

In touching scenes, Rita proved once again why she is the heart of the Street, handing Jenny the money for a one-way ticket abroad.

She reassured her friend: "I'll be fine without you, love. And besides, I'll come and see you for a holiday soon."

Fans took to X to comment on her departure: "Gutted! What a final ep for Jenny. It feels like the end of an era with her and Rita too, that mother/daughter duo was brilliant. They didn't always see eye to eye, but in the end they left things on such good terms."

Another penned: "I was heartbroken. I don't have the history like long-term viewers, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry at that last moment between Jenny and Rita. Ugh. So good"

Finally ready to embrace her fresh start, Jenny announced she was reverting to her maiden name of Bradley.

In a symbolic moment, she tossed her Rovers nameplate into the rubbish, a move that signalled both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic character.

Jenny Connor first appeared in Corrie back in 1986.