Sally Ann Matthews, known for playing Jenny Bradley on Coronation Street, has discovered she is distantly related to a former co-star. The 55-year-old actress first appeared on the ITV soap in 1986 as Jenny Bradley, the foster child of Rita Tanner and daughter of villain Alan Bradley. After returning in 2015, her character married Johnny Connor, who died in the 2021 sinkhole disaster, and later briefly dated serial killer Stephen Reid. Jenny left Weatherfield in October 2025 after falling victim to a scam.
Ancestry Discovery
Working with Ancestry to explore her family history, Matthews traveled to Ashton-under-Lyne to meet a local historian. There, she learned that she is distantly related to Amanda Barrie, who played Alma Halliwell on Coronation Street for two decades. Reflecting on the discovery, Matthews told Radio Times: "Waiting for my Corrie cousin to come around the corner was torture - I was praying it was someone I liked! The joy when I saw it was Amanda was overwhelming."
Shared History
Matthews noted that she and Barrie rarely had scenes together but shared a "naughty, slightly bonkers streak." She added that a jug Barrie gave her when she was 18 has been a treasured possession ever since. Coronation Street airs weekday nights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
