Coronation Street's Sally Ann Matthews address major soap shake-up after tearful exit

Coronation Street favourite Sally Ann Matthews has candidly opened up in a lengthy interview about leaving the cobbles. The 55-year-old star addressed the major scheduling change that will happen from January and teased a potential new role she may land. The soap will switch in the new year to five 30-minute episodes rather than three hour-long instalments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Speaking on the Conversation Street podcast about the shake-up, the host asked the actress how she sees the upcoming changes impacting the soap. Sally replied: "I think it can only be for the good... When it goes to the half hours every day, theoretically, I think it is 18 or 19 characters per episode... You could have 18 characters on Monday's and a completely different set of characters in Tuesdays episode.

"They won't, but they've now got a bit more freedom to have more people in. So you shouldn't have big gaps, I think that can only be better. I think this will work better for the genre. And I just wish people would embrace our USP, which is that it's a soap."

When asked about her career plans, she revealed: "I've had a really lovely audition for a new drama. This whole thing is very new!"

While she didn't reveal if she has secured the role in the mystery TV drama, she also said she is part of Celebrity MasterMind, but could not reveal her specialist subject on the podcast.

Sally left Coronation Street in a tearful episode on Wednesday evening, 39 years after she made her debut in the role of Jenny Bradley, who later became Connor after marrying Johnny Connor.

Those who follow the soap will remember Sally's first appearance in the programme in 1986, when she was just 16.

Sally confirmed she was leaving Corrie this August, and the news devastated her fans, who have followed the character's progression over the decades.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.