Jerry suffered a heart attack in May 2008, prompting Kayleigh to call his estranged wife Teresa Bryant. At first Jerry was horrified to see her but eventually conceded that he needed her help. Teresa moved in, much to Mel's displeasure, but soon outstayed her welcome. In a bid to ensure Jerry would not force her to leave, she took control of his medication and deliberately kept him ill, so he would rely on her. By August 2008, Teresa's tampering had taken its toll and Jerry collapsed, banging his head on the coffee table as he fell and knocking himself unconscious. He was taken to hospital, where his family learnt that he could die but he came round at the beginning of September and Teresa confessed to Jerry. He was horrified by her betrayal. Jerry now refuses to see Teresa and this led to Mel arresting Teresa for attempted murder but Jerry refused to make a statement so Teresa could not be charged. On 26 September 2008, Jerry told his family that he wanted them to move to Spain. After the scandal with Teresa, he yearned for a new start for the sake of his kids and his health. Mel and Darryl chose to stay as she had recently qualified as a police officer and he did not want to leave his friends and wanted to run the chip/kebab shop. Disappointed about their decisions but fully understanding, he left Coronation Street on 29 September 2008 with his younger children Kayleigh and Finlay, bound for a new life.