Sally Ann Matthews has revealed ‘Coronation Street’s 10,000th episode will pay "homage" to the soap’s history.
The 49-year-old actress – who plays Jenny Bradley – will be part of the historic instalment of the ITV series when it reaches the landmark this Friday evening (07.02.20) and she believes fans will be delighted with all the "nods to the past".
Appearing on ‘This Morning’ on Friday (07.02.20), Sally Ann said: "Tonight’s episode is absolutely wonderful, I watched it the other day and there’s so many nods to the past. The very opening scene is a massive throwback. It pays a homage to our history, it also has six maybe seven current storylines that all converse."
The episode will focus on Rita Sullivan – who has been played by Barbara Knox for 48 years – who receives her late husband Dennis Tanner’s ashes in a parcel along with a note asking to scatter them in Blackpool.
She then asks Ken Barlow – played by Bill Roache since the very first episode of ‘Corrie’ that aired in 1960 – to go with her, and several other Weatherfield residents end up accompanying her on a coach trip to the seaside town.
Jenny is responsible for booking the coach for the excursion, and the vehicle will be driven by grumpy Des, played by ‘Early Doors’ actor John Henshaw.
Speaking about the episode, Sally Ann said: "I’m not giving anything away, but Rita receives Dennis Tanner’s ashes with a request that she takes them to Blackpool and scatters them. Rita is currently living in the Rovers with Jenny after she fell at Christmas.
"Blackpool’s not got good memories for either of us. I don’t know why Dennis wants to be scattered in Blackpool, maybe it’s some kind of a sick joke, but she takes on the responsibility even though she was left heartbroken by Dennis. So Jenny decides to gather the women of the street to go off together to support Rita."
Sally Ann – who first stepped onto the cobbles as a teenager in 1986 before returning in 2015 – admits it’s great to be a part of the special Rita-focused episode and she has praised the 86-year-old actress for taking her under her wing when she first joined the soap, as well as her on-screen dad Mark Eden, who played Alan Bradley in ‘Corrie’ from 1986 to 1989.
She said: "I learnt everything from Barbara and Mark Eden and I feel very fortunate that I had them as mentors. When Barbara ever tells me off I say, ‘Well, I learnt it all from you!’ We have another scene near the end of the episode where Barbara is just magnificent. It’s a beautiful scene that I think will bring a tear to your eye. The whole episode, you will laugh, you will smile, you’ll be intrigued.
"You’ve got lovely scenes with Barbara, Sue Nicholls and Bill Roache. You’ve got Alison King and new girl Mollie (Gallagher), who plays Nina."
Sally Ann Matthews: Corrie 10,000th episode pays homage to soap’s history
