Coronation Street star Jane Hazlegrove, known for playing Bernie Winter, is married to actress Isobel Middleton, who has appeared in Emmerdale and EastEnders. The couple met in 1995 and have been together for over three decades.
How They Met
Jane and Isobel first crossed paths in 1995 when Jane starred in the production Boom Bang-a-Bang at London's Bush Theatre. Isobel, who had come to watch the performance, struck up a conversation with Jane, and their romance quickly developed.
Civil Partnership and Wedding
In 2010, the couple entered into a civil partnership aboard a vessel in Bristol. Jane told the Mirror: "It was amazing – I was all dressed up and wore a really nice frock." She explained that they decided to do it because Isobel had been unwell, and Jane was not allowed to be informed about her hospital treatment as they were not legally recognized as partners. "We did the civil partnership because we thought, 'no one can touch us then'," Jane added.
Five years later, in 2015, Jane and Isobel, who live in Derbyshire, married at a Bristol register office. Jane was initially reluctant, saying: "I didn't want to do it originally. I didn't want to do it just because the government now said we could." They kept the ceremony a secret and invited six friends for a curry afterwards.
Facing Homophobia
Jane recently opened up about the homophobia she and Isobel still face. She told The Mirror: "You still meet homophobia every day, but I just smile at the homophobes and try to educate them and lead from the front." Reflecting on their marriage, she said: "It's my greatest achievement, regardless of the career."
Isobel's Acting Career
Isobel has appeared in Emmerdale as Dr Lane in 2014, a barrister in 2018, Jean Rawson in 2020, and currently plays detective DI Roberts. She also featured on EastEnders as Sadie Banks in 2002 and in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009. In 2022, she appeared on Coronation Street as feminist author Persephone Braxton.
Jane joked about her wife's Corrie role: "I wanted to come in and be her chaperone for Got It Day, but she was having none of it."
Antiques Roadshow Appearance
Isobel also appeared on Antiques Roadshow, bringing in two paintings by Richard Eurich. Expert Frances Christie estimated one could be worth between £10,000 and £15,000, and the other £15,000 to £20,000. Isobel said: "I really am genuinely gobsmacked by that."
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
