Actress Jane Hazlegrove openly discusses the everyday challenges of homophobia she and her spouse, Isobel Middleton, encounter, as they approach their tenth wedding anniversary on Coronation Street.
30 years back, I stumbled upon this extraordinary woman named Isobel, and ever since then, I’ve been smitten. Yet, during those times, the idea of us legally tying the knot was as distant as the moon in Britain due to the ban on same-sex weddings.
Currently, as they near their significant tenth year together, Jane has taken a moment to look back on their path and understand the profound significance of finally exchanging wedding vows with her long-standing companion.
To The Mirror, she expressed, “A wedding always seemed delightful to me, yet I never imagined I’d be the one hosting such a grand celebration filled with those closest to my heart, and abundant joy.
It was breathtakingly wonderful yet slightly surprising – something I’m still finding hard to accept. Yet, I am filled with immense pride knowing that we’ve accomplished it and I’m deeply proud of my love for Isobel. It stands as my most significant accomplishment, surpassing any professional success.
I’m utterly amazed by the fact that I can openly love this woman and enjoy the life I have without fear of persecution or harassment. Of course, I encounter homophobia daily, but instead of reacting negatively, I choose to smile at them and attempt to enlighten them, leading by example.
Jane joined the ITV soap in 2019 as Bernie Winter – mum to twins Gemma and Paul.
Meanwhile, off-screen, Bernie is preparing for her own wedding anniversary, while on-screen, she is about to marry Dev Alahan, the local corner shop owner (played by Jimmi Harkishin).
Without a doubt, anyone who follows soap operas is aware that wedding days are seldom perfect, and it seems that Bernie and Dev’s special day will follow this trend.
Initially, Bernie’s quadruple grandkids become unwell and can’t attend the wedding in person. Instead, they have to watch the ceremony through a live stream, along with their brother Joseph.
Then, Bernie forgets her lucky charm locket and races back home only to disturb a burglar.
Jane playfully quipped to the media outlet that things tend to go awry, sharing an anecdote about Bernie. Once he reached the ceremony, it turned out that Jane had a severe allergic reaction, fainted, and needed immediate medical attention, being taken away in an ambulance.
Although Jane remained silent on whether Bernie and Dev exchanged their wedding vows, she did share details about her character’s attire for the special occasion, and it certainly wasn’t conventional.
She shared that she’s an ardent admirer of singer Elkie Brooks, and caught sight of her on television adorning a stunning kaftan – inciting the idea for Bernie’s wedding gown.
Instead, she disclosed that the dress would indeed remain white, and she’s quite pleased with the design the wardrobe team has created.
Growing up in Manchester, I found my passion for acting from a tender age and made my television debut at 13, gracing the screens of viewers through the Yorkshire Television series, The Book Tower.
At 16, she joined Coronation Street as teenager Sue Clayton, staying on the cobbles for a year.
Since then, she has appeared in many dramas, with a significant stint on Casualty portraying the character of Kathleen Dixon, a paramedic.
Currently, Jane and Isobel reside in Derbyshire, a place that Jane adores for its scenic hills ideal for long walks, as well as her appreciation for classic automobiles, notably a 1969 MGC.
In 1995, the couple first encountered each other when Jane was performing in the hit play “Boom Bang-a-Bang” at London’s Bush Theatre.
Isobel attended the performance, and afterward, they started talking, which ignited a romantic relationship that has endured for thirty years.
In 2010, I had the honor of becoming a civil partner with my beloved Isobel, a moment we cherished deeply as we exchanged vows on a boat in Bristol. However, prior to this significant milestone, there were challenging times when our relationship wasn’t legally recognized, a harsh reality that Jane has openly discussed.
In the time leading up to their civil union, Isobel became unwell, and it was then that Jane discovered she was not privy to specifics regarding her partner’s medical care – a situation that left her relegated to the status of ‘simply a friend’, despite their relationship spanning a decade.
In 2015, they ended up getting married at the Bristol register office without much fanfare. They didn’t inform anyone about their wedding, and afterward, they invited only six close friends over for a celebratory curry meal.
Initially hesitant due to its newfound legality, Jane eventually discovered her wedding day held immense significance for her.
She currently zealously champions the rights of the LGBT+ community, actively participating in the international activist organization known as All Out.
As I ponder over the fact that Pride was prohibited in Hungary this year, I find it utterly appalling that anyone is still denied the freedom to love whom they choose, as I shared with The Mirror.
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- Mobile Legends November 2025 Leaks: Upcoming new heroes, skins, events and more
- The John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina’ slays with style, but its dialogue has two left feet
- Stocks stay snoozy as Moody’s drops U.S. credit—guess we’re all just waiting for the crash
- Bentley Delivers Largest Fleet of Bespoke Flying Spurs to Galaxy Macau
- Delta Force Best Settings and Sensitivity Guide
- ‘Australia’s Most Sexually Active Woman’ Annie Knight reveals her shock plans for the future – after being hospitalised for sleeping with 583 men in a single day
- Steve McQueen on making WWII personal with ‘Blitz’: ‘It’s about us fighting ourselves’
- Clash of Clans: How to beat the Fully Staffed Challenge
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
2025-07-29 12:19