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Shobna Gulati Opens Up: Men Criticize Her Grey Hair as She Embraces Non-Binary Identity!

BBG News

As a lifestyle advisor, I must confess that I’ve noticed a concerning trend: many men seem to be actively resistant towards the appearance of gray hair. In an open conversation, this sentiment was poignantly expressed by Shobna Gulati.

On social media, the actor from Coronation Street, aged 58, who portrayed Sunita Alahan on the soap opera, recently identified themselves as using both ‘she’ and ‘they’ pronouns, signifying their identification as non-binary.

Although they proudly sport their silver hair as they reach sixty, Shobna disclosed that they’ve faced harsh criticism and shared some of the offensive comments made about them.

In a conversation with Kaye Adams on her How to be 60 podcast, Shobna shared that some boys and men have been rather assertive in their disapproval of her gray hair.

I had been dating someone who mentioned my sibling appears to be younger due to her having dark hair, yet interestingly enough, she is older than me.

I quickly ended our relationship since I assumed he felt uncomfortable with my aging, as it seems society often values women’s youth over their maturity.

For some time now, I’ve been pondering over it, and I realized I don’t wish to be in the company of people who highly value age.

Shobna, who is now in a relationship, also come out as pansexual during the chat.

‘My sexual orientation and my gender identity are two distinct aspects that I’m exploring more deeply. Yes, I would be attracted to someone without regard for their gender.’

Pansexuality is the romantic, emotional and/or sexual to people regardless of their gender.

In a recent statement, Shobna shared that they have just discovered the term “non-binary” which aligns with the gender identity they’ve felt throughout their entire life.

They shared: ‘I feel happier identifying myself as a person rather than a specific gender. Nowadays, this is often referred to as non-binary. So, it seems that’s the label that fits me best.’

I haven’t found the right term for it before, but observing our youth has given me an idea of what it could be called, since I understand what it represents in terms of my personal experiences.

Throughout my entire life, I’ve struggled to find the right words to express something, and I’ve never been able to clearly articulate it. It seems that even my closest relatives haven’t given much thought to this particular matter.

They’ve pondered: ‘Shobna appears to be exceptionally feminine or remarkably masculine.’ This is because I was recently seen as someone who naturally fell from a tree, and also someone who adorned makeup and performed a dance.’

In the course of a chat with a sound engineer who identifies as non-binary, Shobna came to understand their personal identity.

In simpler terms, the individual told me they identified as non-binary, to which I responded with confusion (‘What does that mean?’). After their explanation, I realized that I had similar feelings about my identity, yet never had the words to describe it.

They expressed that they view themselves as an individual, rather than identifying strictly with male or female pronouns. This struck me as something I’ve always believed myself.

I feel comfortable expressing this openly now. For quite some time, I believe those close to me have understood and accepted my identity without needing an explicit explanation. However, if someone were to ask about it now, I would certainly share it.

In 1990, at the age of 23, Shobna tied the knot with architect Anshu Srivastava during a Hindu wedding ceremony. However, their marriage didn’t last long and they parted ways four years into their union. A year after the separation, Shobna welcomed a son named Akshay, who is now 30 years old.

The actress was in a four-year relationship with Gary Turner, an actor from Emmerdale, between 1999 and 2003 while they both worked on Coronation Street. She mentioned this on the podcast, saying: ‘I did have romantic connections, but since they were quite public, they became known to many.’

It was distressing for me since I felt I hadn’t had enough personal time to cultivate relationships, expand my family, and maintain privacy, as the situation was incredibly open and lacking in privacy.

Explaining their new relationship, they said: ‘I think I’ve loved this person all my life.’ 

‘I’m also considering this aspect – understanding what it means for me. Yes, I am open to connecting with someone, irrespective of their gender.’

2013 saw Shobna part ways with her younger boyfriend, as the significant age gap of 17 years grew increasingly noticeable.

At Denise Welch’s wedding, the star openly acknowledged later that tensions peaked between them and Anthony Brown, a 30-year-old television production assistant, as they struggled to connect with other guests.

In conversation with The Sun, Shobna admitted, “He seemed as if he was in another realm” and they began to act as if she was his mother.

Over the course of our relationship, issues began to surface. It was during Denise’s wedding that things started to fall apart.

“The place was brimming with seasoned performers such as The Krankies and Christopher Biggins. It quickly became evident that he sought something distinct from what I had in mind, and neither of us were willing to make concessions.”

– This version retains the original’s meaning while using more natural, conversational language.

After a sequence of attempts, the Loose Women panelist chose not to try again, as they had grown unwilling.

Shobna agreed that it wouldn’t be right for the TV host to miss out on fatherhood if he remained with them, as they weren’t willing to shoulder the burden of parenthood responsibilities.

In my interactions with Shobna’s son, I found a unique bond that occasionally made me feel more like a nurturing figure in his life – almost as if I were his mother, rather than his girlfriend.

At times, when we’d be laughing over something online while they were on the couch, and I was preparing dinner in the kitchen, I felt like I was both their friend and Anthony’s mom. I shared with him that it was challenging for me because I wanted to behave more as a girlfriend instead.

In 2022, Shobna worked alongside her son, Akshay, in the play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. 

In an interview for The Guardian, Shobna shared: “Currently, I’m collaborating with Akshay, and it’s wonderful because we find ourselves on an even footing. He isn’t my son, nor am I his mother – instead, we are both actors sharing a stage.

In this setup, the director holds the primary authority, much like having the keys. Letting go of the usual mother-son relationship dynamics is quite remarkable. This is particularly challenging for a single mom, given her unique circumstances.

Speaking candidly about her pregnancy, Shobna shared: “I had imagined myself attending university, finding a partner, getting married, and starting a family, similar to what my siblings did. However, life took a different path for me.

At that moment, I was 28 years old and immersed in dance, as part of a show named Moti Roti, Puttli Chunni, which was playing at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East in London. This marked my initial foray into theatre work, and it was garnering fantastic critic reviews.

As we traveled together, Akshay and I both developed, and I faced the numerous obstacles that pregnancy presents. This unexpected pregnancy occurred outside of marriage with a man whom my family and society deemed culturally incompatible.

In Manchester, I felt compelled to conceal my pregnancy when I arrived. Everyone would comment on my weight gain, saying “You’ve gained weight!” When I returned with a baby in tow, someone asked, “Whose child is this?” To which I replied, “It’s mine, auntie.” The situation left me feeling humiliated and facing criticism, but I am not afraid to defend my decisions and who I am.

In a recent interview, Shobna opened up about the pressures she experienced as a child in Lancashire to conform to a more conventional notion of femininity, a struggle that became particularly pronounced during her rise to fame in the 1990s when she played Anita in Dinnerladies.

They shared: ‘Dad often used to comment on my appearance with statements such as, “It seems like you didn’t put on any fancy clothes today,” or “You haven’t washed your hair,” or “Your hair lacks volume; it doesn’t look good enough to go out.” I’d usually reply: “Why not?”‘

‘He’d make comments along the way… ‘I walk like a boy.’

Many individuals often comment that my gait resembles that of a man, and indeed, it does. I’m not entirely sure about the origin; it’s simply part of who I am. And I’ve come to embrace it wholeheartedly.

Previously, Shoba admitted that they had doubts about their career decision following a missed audition opportunity last year.

At times, I wonder why I chose this profession. Honestly, there are moments when I can’t seem to find the answer. But let me assure you, the job market can be chilly, so hang in there!

In the very same month, Victoria Wood, famous for her role in The Dinnerladies, was honored with the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire by Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.

Shobna was made an MBE for services to the cultural industries.

In more recent times, the actress who has had a successful 35-year career in the entertainment business appeared in the final episode of Vera on New Year’s Day, and starting from Boxing Day, you can catch her in The Serial Killer’s Wife, airing on Channel 5.

From 2001 to 2006, as well as from 2009 to 2013, the actress portrayed Sunita Alahan on Coronation Street.

2019 saw Shobna assume the character of Ray in the stage play “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” on the West End, a role she later repeated for the film version. She was the sole leading actress who took this unique double duty.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve once again stepped into the limelight for the 2023-2024 UK and Ireland tour of the captivating production, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. It’s a privilege to be part of such an inspiring story, and I can’t wait to bring its message of self-expression, acceptance, and empowerment to audiences across these regions.

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2025-03-21 13:52

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