Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews was seen arriving on set – squashing fans’ worries that her character could have been axed from the show.
The actress, 53, was spotted at the filming location in Manchester on Wednesday to shoot the soap after worrying fans with a cryptic video last week.
Sally Ann plays The Rovers’ former landlady Jenny Connor (née Bradley), who is the adopted daughter of Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox).
Sally, who made her first appearance on the show in 1986, confused fans when she made a video hinting they should get used to not seeing her around on Thursday.
But, those worries have now been eliminated as she made her return to the set, as she stepped out in a lovely black and white patterned dress, complete with a black handbag and belt.
Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews returned to set in squashing fans’ worries that her character could have been axed from the show
The actress, 53, was spotted on set in Manchester on Wednesday to film the soap after worrying fans with a cryptic video last week
Sally stepped out in a lovely black and white patterned dress, complete with a black handbag and belt
The actress was ready to get stuck into the action once again after what she called a ‘million years off’.
During the outing, Sally Ann sported a mint green pair of wedge espadrille heels and completed her look with a black bag, belt, and sunglasses.
Sally wore her strawberry blonde locks in loose waves and seemed to be in high spirits as she made her way to work.
The actress’s first stint on the cobbles lasted five years. She returned for a month in 1993, and four months in 2015, before returning permanently in 2016.
Sally has been involved in huge storylines such as a romance with married man Robert Weston when she was underage, and abducting Kevin Webster’s son Jack.
Explaining why she was on holiday, the actress took to Instagram Live on Thursday and said: ‘I chose to get on an aeroplane because I’m particularly quiet at work.
‘I’ve got, like, a million years off.’
Sally continued: ‘So, I chose to go on an aeroplane and I chose to remember happier times.’
She said she has been to Cyprus twice in five weeks and was planning to go away again.
Sally, who made her first appearance on the show in 1986, confused fans when she made a video hinting they should get used to not seeing her around on Thursday
Explaining why she was on holiday, the actress took to Instagram Live on Thursday and said: ‘I chose to get on an aeroplane because I’m particularly quiet at work’
She said she has been to Cyprus twice in five weeks and was planning to go away again
As Jenny, Sally has been involved in huge storylines such as a romance with married man Robert Weston while underage, and abducting Kevin Webster’s son Jack in 2016 (pictured)
The actress went on: ‘And then I’m going to go back to Cyprus, and do nowt, and at some point I might get a job and someone might employ me, potentially.’
According to The Sun, she went on to read fan queries and said: ”Have you left the street?’ Hmm. Hang on, next question.’
In response to the words from the former Emmerdale star, fans commented: ‘I’m confused’
‘Are you not on Corrie any more. I feel like I’ve missed something or my memory blew up?????’;
‘You’re not on Corrie anymore?’, adding a shocked face emoji.
Metro reported that Sally Ann later said: ”We haven’t seen much of Jenny for a while’.
‘No, you’re not going to be seeing Jenny for quite a long while, so that’s that!’
A source said: [Sally Ann] is not on ‘a break’. She was filming last week, she may be off for a few weeks at the moment, but she is back filming early next month.
MailOnline contacted ITV for comment.
Sally pictured with Rita and Ken Barlow (William Roach), the longest-serving character in Corrie history in 2020
Jenny Connor was landlady of The Rovers from 2018 to 2023 (pictured with Audrey Robert’s deceased son Stephen Reid, portrayed by Todd Boyce in 2023)
Sally’s appearance back on set comes just after the news that Sean Wilson is also returning to the cobbles as Martin Platt, six years after his last appearance in Weatherfield.
The actor, 59, has begun filming his return stint, and will first appear on screen in October as part of Helen Worth’s exit storyline.
In the scenes, Martin’s son David (played by Jack P Shepherd) is shocked to find his dad at the house and is immediately suspicious about his reason for coming back into their lives.
As Sean picked up his first scripts to start shooting, he said: ‘It was great to be invited back to Coronation Street again, to contribute to Helen’s exit story.
‘We’ll have a few months to catch up with Martin and Gail again, following the ebbs and flows of the unfolding storyline.
‘Playing Martin has been a joy since day one and in a way, I’ll be slipping back to where I left off, which no doubt will throw a spanner into the heart of the Platt family.
‘It’s just like slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe… I’m looking forward to reuniting with my TV family.’
Sean played Martin for 20 years from 1985 to 2005, before he and his family emigrated to New Zealand in 2018 and he paid one final visit to Weatherfield before his departure to make his peace with David, who was upset that his dad was leaving the country.
Sally’s appearance back on set comes just after the news that Sean Wilson is also returning to the cobbles as Martin Platt, six years after his last appearance in Weatherfield
The actor will make his return for Helen Worth’s exit storyline after quitting the show in 2005 to become a cheese-maker
It comes after Helen quit her role on the cobbles after successfully playing the character for 50 years from 1974
It comes after Helen quit her role on the cobbles after successfully playing the character for 50 years from 1974.
The news devastated fans across the UK and some took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to speculate how her character’s storyline will end.
ITV confirmed that she will start filming her exit story next month and the ’emotional’ scenes will be on screen at the end of the year.
Sharing the news of her exit, Helen said: ‘This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.’
‘I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.’
‘I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.’
‘The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.’