Coronation Street star Sally Ann Matthews on Johnny's exit

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street's Sally Ann Matthews, who plays Jenny Connor opposite Johnny (Richard Roland Hawley), has explained why their tragic farewell was the perfect culmination to their love story.

In an interview with Inside Soap that saw the star honour the life of her fictional soulmate, Sally Ann spoke about his departure in detail to justify the decision.

When asked whether she was happy with the way Jenny and Johnny bid adieu, given the tragedy that accompanied it, she had no reservations, saying: "Oh god yes."

She qualified her answer by explaining: "It told their love story and brought it full circle. He gave her the opportunity to have a different life when she was just a cleaner in the factor, and he was her knight in shining armour 'till the very end."

ITV

Sally Ann added: "Often characters leave in the back of a taxi and that's a little — yet no one is going to float away down a storm pipe again in Corrie history."

She also revealed that Richard was "thrilled to bits" with his exit.

However, when asked about how her character is coping in the lead-up to Johnny's funeral, she explained that she's "stressed" and "very up and down".

Sally Ann added: "She wants to find the perfect words for his eulogy, and she doesn't know whether she's got it right. Jenny's beating herself over leaving the marriage, as she did love Johnny, so she doesn't want to let him down."

sally ann matthews as jenny bradley in coronation street

ITV

The soap star also went on to reveal her character is the sole beneficiary of Johnny's will, which causes quite a stir between her and Daisy. "Jenny's shocked and doesn't know what to do – did Johnny intend for this?"

When Daisy responds: "Well of course he did", Jenny believes Daisy wants a chunk for herself and verbal sparring breaks out between the two.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm on ITV.