Coronation Street actress Jane Hazlegrove, popularly known for her role as Bernie Winter, hints at a dark secret amid fears of being axed from the soap. The actress opens up about her character’s journey on and off-screen. Bernie is facing an emotional rollercoaster with her son Paul’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis. With the emotional scenes mirroring Hazlegrove’s real-life experiences, the actress shares insights into her personal struggles, loss, and more. As fans await the drama, it seems like Hazlegrove’s character has more layers.
Jane Hazlegrove Shares Her Journey On The Show
Weatherfield’s Bernie Winter, played by Jane Hazlegrove, has always been a fan-favorite on Coronation Street. However, the actress shared that she never relaxes and fears being fired from the show. There are a few who know it’s not her first Corrie appearance; she has been in the show previously. Jane has been portraying Bernie on the show since 2019, but she had previously played teenager Sue Clayton in the 1980s. She recalls, “When I left the show, they gave me a massive card that everybody had signed—including all the legends.”
Jane opened up about Coronation Street veteran Barbara Knox, remembering her. Barbara (Newsagent Rita Tanner) foresaw Jane’s return as previously she wrote on her card, “Good luck, Jane, wrote Barbara Knox. Remember, rovers always return.” Indeed, she was right. She expresses, “I was worried about seeing her again if she went, ‘Has this one improved since she was 16?” She added that Barbara had a huge impression on her as a child. She continued, “Upon returning, she worried she wouldn’t remember me, but she was kind and made out.”
Even though this was Jane’s second time on the cobbles, she was still nervous. “I was full of trepidation,” she said. She shared, “I had no nerves at 16. I knew it was a large assignment, but I felt confident. Arriving at 51 changed everything. Teenagers are arrogant and don’t doubt themselves. But entering as Bernie scared me.” Jane was scared that anxiety would make her an idiot and she would be asked to leave. She recalls being worried about forgetting the lines.
Coronation Street Star Jane Hazlegrove Embraces LGBT Pride On And Off-Screen
Jane revealed that her favorite storyline has to be Bernie’s son Paul’s wedding to vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank). Nine years after Britain legalised same-sex weddings, the show held its first homosexual wedding in 63 years. Jane married actress Isobel Middleton in 2015 in Derbyshire. She considers her LGBT womanhood joy earned. She said, “I grew up in the 70s and 80s, and things were completely different. I was in with boyfriends and girlfriends. I gradually came out to different groups, which was wrong.” Jane stated that she had lost pals along the way.
Jane, 55, and Isobel, 58, became partners in 2010 after 28 years together. After eight years as Casualty paramedic Kathleen ‘Dixie’ Dixon, Jane initially hesitated to formalize their relationship. The Coronation Street actress said, “Why are we doing it because we’re suddenly allowed to? On Casualty, I found I couldn’t learn about her personal life despite 15 years together. The civil partnership went well, but we said over breakfast, “No one can touch us now.” She shared being delighted as she can live her life with the woman she wants.
Jane has had several dramatic Coronation Street stories in her four years, but none as moving as her current one concerning Bernie’s son Paul’s terminal Motor Neurone Disease. Her lawyer Joel advises Bernie, on trial for handling stolen property, to prepare for prison this week. Jane, whose father Dougie died in the pandemic, was hurt by filming these scenes. She said, “He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as we went into lockdown, family mourned his passing, but only eight could attend the Crematory.”
Let’s hope love and strength win out for Jane Hazlegrove and her character. For more updates on Coronation Street and its stars, keep checking the TV Season & Spoilers!