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Jill Halfpenny’s Heartwarming Love Story: From Grief to Romance in Paris with New Partner

BBG News

It’s been disclosed that beloved television star Jill Halfpenny has completed her return from heartache by embarking on a romantic trip to Paris with her latest partner, as we have learned.

48-year-old marketing executive Ian McAllister, who is known for his good looks, has managed to bring happiness back into the life of the previous winner of Strictly, after the unfortunate passing of her partner Matt Janes due to a heart attack in 2017.

In her book, A Life Reimagined, published last year, the woman aged 49 shared that she had rediscovered love once more.

She posted a series of affectionate photos from their recent trip to Paris, which they visited just last week.

The couple appeared radiantly happy while striking poses in a fashionable urban setting, both in a charming city suburb and before the Arc de Triomphe, captured beautifully in two delightful photos.

Jill shared with her online community details of her recent journey, ending with a performance by the talented Irish artist, CMAT.

She shared: “Pieces of enchanting Paris over the weekend. Visited numerous flea markets, indulged in plenty of delicious food, and walked miles upon miles. Attended an exquisite exhibition and concluded the trip with a touch of CMAT, whom I adore.

In 2023, the actress who was once known for her roles in Byker Grove and EastEnders shared an account of a chance encounter with someone named Ian. This unexpected meeting sparked feelings of love within her, leading her to discover that she could find happiness once more without harboring guilt.

For the past six years following Matt’s unexpected passing at only 43, when he collapsed in the gym, she found it difficult to consider moving on with another person, as she saw it as a form of disloyalty, instead dedicating her time to dealing with and overcoming her grief.

In her memoir, she detailed the conversation she had with Ian concerning the tragic passing of her father, Colin, due to a heart attack during a football game, and the loss of Matt, which both occurred at significant points in her life.

She said that Ian was also able to ‘share his losses’ with her as their relationship progressed.

Ian, a father of two with a passion for running and charitable causes, serves as the marketing chief at The Alnwick Garden, a well-loved tourist destination in the north that attracts many visitors. This garden is overseen by The Duchess of Northumberland.

He’s accumulated a significant amount, approximately hundreds of pounds, as a tribute to his eight-year-old nephew, Guy Comber, who tragically passed away in 2013.

In the year 2016, Ian participated in numerous competitions for All4Guy charity, covering a total of 400 miles. He did this by taking part in two ultra-long distance races (65 miles and 30 miles), five marathons, two duathlons, eleven half marathons, a 10k race, and six Park runs. His efforts were aimed at raising funds for the Newcastle Healthcare Child Bereavement Unit.

In her memoir, Jill told how meeting him had a transformative effect on her life.

She said: ‘For the first time since Matt died I have met someone and fallen in love.

Eleven days post receiving the book deal offer, our paths crossed in an unplanned and serendipitous encounter. The individual I encountered goes by the name of Ian, who possesses a charming wit, kindness, and intelligence.

Reflecting on our bond, it’s become clear how essential my previous efforts were, as they laid the foundation for our connection.

‘I can allow myself to be happy and in love without feeling any guilt.

I can acknowledge and empathize with my own vulnerability and fear, recognizing its origins. I can also embrace freedom and transparency, overcoming apprehensions about being rejected or abandoned.

In the initial phase of our bond, I’m confident that events will unfold naturally, but I deeply wish this journey we embark on will be an enduring and thrilling one.

‘Losing my father and Matt has taught me a tough lesson – I could spend my days fearing that this new relationship might end prematurely, or I could appreciate every moment spent with this person, understanding how fragile life can be. I’ve decided to focus on cherishing the time we have together.’

One concern I had early on in a new romance was the possibility that he might struggle with my discussions about Matt.

It turned out I had nothing to fear, because Ian inquired about Matt right from the start. He wanted to know details of our time spent together, his personality, and our shared activities. Not once did it seem that he viewed him as a rival, which only increased my respect for him even more.

As a lifestyle guide, I openly discuss personal experiences with my father and, in turn, Ian has confided in me about the hardships he’s faced. At this stage of life, we understand that loss is an unavoidable part of our journey. Sharing these experiences, however difficult, becomes a priceless gift as it fosters understanding and empathy between us.

As a diehard fan, I, hailing from the heart of Northumberland, embarked on my career journey in recruitment with the legendary MTV. My path crossed with the one and only Ozzy Osbourne during his fly-on-the-wall series, an experience that remains etched in my memory. After establishing my own marketing venture, I found myself drawn to the enchanting Alnwick Garden, where my professional story continues to unfold.

On The One Show last year, Jill openly admitted that she has found herself smitten once more, but she chose to keep the specifics of her new romance private.

It can sometimes seem as though treachery when you replace a lost romantic partner, but rest assured, it is not so.

It’s completely okay for you to find happiness once more. By going through the necessary steps of healing, working on yourself, and making peace with your past, you have a chance to enter a new relationship and experience happiness again.

If you failed to complete the task, know that there’s still a piece of you elsewhere. I believe I have earned the right to happiness, and I can honestly say that I am content, even ecstatic, to find myself falling in love once more.

On that day Matt passed away, Jill shared, is when she was roused from sleep by him on his way to a cycling class.

The couple were attempting conception, and they exchanged a tender look as Jill walked towards the bathroom to test for ovulation using a pregnancy stick.

Before being roused by knocks at her front door, the actress dozed off again and noticed she had 17 unanswered calls upon awakening.

I sprinted towards Matt’s fitness center in Crouch End, up in the northern part of London, only to discover him sprawled on the floor. Despite my efforts to resuscitate him, they proved futile.

Initially, Jill phoned her mother, who had a painfully familiar situation following the sudden loss of her spouse in the late 70s.

Jill expressed, “I was calling her to share the news about Matt, yet my thoughts were also with her because she’s well aware of what it feels like in this situation.

It was clear in her tone that she recognized I was embarking on the same path.

In a familial setting, Jill expressed that she wouldn’t hold her mother accountable, understanding that this action was an effort to shield Jill and her siblings from harm.

The long-time performer from the West End has shared her experience of carrying unresolved sadness after her father’s passing, which surfaced as feelings of anger and embarrassment.

In my twenties, I finally understood that much of my actions were tied to unexpressed sorrow from past events. After my divorce and giving up alcohol, everything became crystal clear – like fitting together the missing pieces of a puzzle, she explained.

In her forties, she had to learn anew how to handle grief, which ultimately shaped her into a more compassionate individual, as she became adept at treating herself with kindness.

Through the pain of grief, I’ve grown into a more compassionate individual. Working through my sorrow has made me gentler, and I find myself less critical towards myself. Once harsh with self-criticism, I’ve managed to improve significantly.

Previously, Jill was tied in matrimony with the actor Craig Conway between 2007 and 2010, and together they share a 16-year-old son named Harvey.

Regarding her new relationship, she shared with Prima magazine: “It may seem cliché, but I believe that Ian and I crossed paths at just the right moment.

Following Matt’s passing, I was unsure if I would encounter another soul, yet Ian serves as my encourager – it’s become clear to me that I have found someone whom I cherish deeply and who returns that affection.

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2025-03-01 12:21

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