Bernie might be getting ready for a wedding on Coronation Street, but in real life, Jane Hazlegrove has her own reason to celebrate. She’s about to hit a major relationship milestone, one that comes with plenty of love, but also a reminder that not everything has changed, even in 2025.
Three Decades Together and Still Going Strong
Jane met actress Isobel Middleton about 30 years ago, back when same-sex couples in the UK didn’t have the right to marry. But that didn’t stop them. They stayed committed, built a life together, and eventually tied the knot when the law finally allowed it. Now, they’re preparing to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary. And while Jane’s a familiar face to Corrie fans, Isobel’s no stranger to soapland either.
Earlier this year, she played DI Roberts on Emmerdale, leading the Anthony Fox murder investigation. She’s also appeared in Mr Bates vs the Post Office and even had a small role on Coronation Street itself. So together, they’re both part of the soap world that viewers know so well. But even with all that time and success behind them, Jane says there’s still something they face far too often, homophobia.
Coronation Street: A Smile in the Face of Hate
In a recent interview with The Mirror, Jane spoke honestly about what life is still like for her and Isobel. She said homophobia hasn’t gone away, not even close. In her words, they “still meet it every day.” Instead of reacting with anger, Jane said she chooses to smile and, where possible, gently educate people. She believes it’s more powerful to lead by example than to argue.
Jane said she never thought she’d get the chance to have a proper one. For her, being surrounded by the people she loves, celebrating openly, felt huge. Even now, she said it still doesn’t quite feel real. And out of everything she’s done over the years, Jane said being able to love Isobel openly is what she’s proudest of.
Leading the Way…
Jane once shared in Metro how scared she felt attending her first Pride event. She worried someone she knew might see her there, and for a while, she kept a low profile. But over time, that fear faded. These days, Jane’s right out front on the Corrie Pride float, waving proudly. She said she often thinks about the people in the crowd, especially the younger ones, who might still be figuring out who they are.
She hopes seeing someone like her helps them feel a bit braver. That said, Jane doesn’t sugarcoat things. She knows prejudice is still out there. But she believes Pride is proof of how far the community has come, and how important it is to stand together and show support.
So while Bernie’s love story is playing out on TV, Jane’s already been living hers. She’s faced judgment, stayed kind, and never backed away from being herself. For more behind-the-scenes stories and Coronation Street updates, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily.