Jane Hazlegrove (55), who plays Coronation Street’s Bernie Winter, on grief, finding love and the healing power of nature
MY LIFE lessons
Be nice to people on the way up
Years ago, I was filming a TV series and there was a group of supporting artists. One day I noticed a woman looked really cold, so I gave her my coat. I moved to London 10 years later. I had no money – things were really bad – and I auditioned for a British Gas commercial. I didn’t normally get commercials, but I got this one and it was with the brilliant Caroline Aherne, who played Mrs Merton. She said to me, “Do you know why you’ve got this job? I was that extra who was cold, and you gave me your coat.” She gave me the gig, which changed things for me financially at a time when I really needed it.
To love and be loved is the most fantastic thing
I’ve been extremely fortunate that I’m still head over heels with my wife Isobel [Middleton] after nearly 30 years together. I knew early on it was something special and we married in 2015. I have a silly sense of humour and she’s as daft as a brush too. When I was younger, I didn’t believe love like this was possible and that somebody could look at me the way I’m looked at by Isobel.
She pulls me up when I’m being an idiot, but she also shows me how terrific I can be. It’s the most precious thing and I feel blessed; it’s my greatest achievement.
Life is fragile
The hardest time of my life was losing
