Corrie stars swap the Rovers for ‘rover’

Sally Ann and Adam are pictured with miniature Schnauzer, Paddy

Coronation Street actress Sally Ann Matthews left behind pulling pints in favour of playing with pooches this week when she and fellow actor Adam Blease went along to Dogs Trust Manchester.

Lifelong dog-lover Sally Ann, who plays landlady of the Rovers Return Jenny Connor in the soap, went along to the Denton-based rehoming centre to meet some of the dogs hoping to be settled in their new forever homes before Christmas.

Sally Ann, who has a Border Terrier called Veto, said: “I adore dogs and can’t imagine life without Veto.

"They are such a part of the family and I have heard today how people have had to hand over their dogs to be cared for here at Dogs Trust Manchester for a huge variety of reasons, from relationship break-ups to illness and death in the family. It is heart breaking.”

Sally Ann and Adam, who works on the soap as a background artist in the Street’s Underworld factory as ‘Dirk’, had a tour of the rehoming centre which has found forever homes for more than 3,000 dogs since opening in October, 2014.

They also met some of the current residents including one-year-old Basset Hound Barney and seven-month-old Miniature Schnauzer Paddy.

Sally Ann said: “They are all absolutely adorable.

"I expected there to be lots of barking but the kennels are lovely and the dogs are obviously really relaxed and happy.

"They are so well looked after and I just hope they all find their forever families soon.”

Carol Margieson, Deputy Manager at Dogs Trust Manchester, added: “It was great to show Sally Ann and Adam around and the dogs definitely enjoyed some additional play time.

“It was lovely for them to see just how wonderful our dogs are and we would always encourage anyone wanting to welcome a canine companion into their life to give a dog who has found themselves without a forever home a second chance.”

If you would like to add a new four-legged friend to your family, please call 0300 303 0292 or visit Dogs Trust Manchester at Parkway, Denton, Manchester, M34 3SG.

To find out more, go to: www.dogstrust.org.uk

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