Rov ‘There’s ers bar a virtual now!’
Actress Jane Danson talks about her latest storyline, homeschooling, and how strange it is not seeing her Corrie pals…
Jane Danson is a Corrie veteran, having played Leanne Battersby since 1997, joining the ‘family from hell’, alongside Leanne’s dad Les (Bruce Jones) and Janice (Vicky Entwistle). Jane, 41, who lives in Cheshire, is married to actor Rob Beck, 51, and has sons, Sam, 11, and Harry, nearly 14. She is currently at the heart of a devastating storyline, as Leanne’s boy, Oliver, three (the result of a one-night stand with Steve McDonald – aka Simon Gregson), falls sick with mysterious seizures, which doctors are set to reveal are symptoms of a serious condition. Here, the former Dancing onIce contestant tells us more about Leanne’s world being turned upsidedown – as well as how she’s
coping herself…
Hi Jane. Why do you think more people than ever are watching soaps now?
It’s escapism, all those familiar faces. My mum used to work in a care home, and the older audience all gathered at 7.30pm to watch Corrie – it was a really significant part of their day. Entertainment lifts people, even when the stories aren’t necessarily happy!
Have you been in touch with the rest of the cast?
Oh yes. We’re all on WhatsApp groups, we ‘Zoom’, we’re all checking in on each other. We genuinely care about each other, even if it’s a quick ‘How are you?’ by text. Everyone’s feeling exactly the same – a bit lost. We’re so used to being together, it’s strange not knowing when we’ll be up and running again.
Is it true Dan Brocklebank [who plays vicar Billy Mayhew], has opened up a virtual Corrie bar?!
Yes, he’s brilliant. In my house, we’ve got kids, homeschooling, but for people like Dan, on his own, it’s thinking of something new to do. He’ll be missing everyone like mad – but he’s a really positive person, so he’ll be coming up with all sorts to keep himself entertained!
You are a mum in real life, but on screen your little boy is very sick...
Yes... It’s hard-going, but powerful – and we’ve approached it very sensitively. It’s not just about poor Oliver – who’s having tests in hospital for unexplained seizures that the family realise now could be more than epilepsy. It explores how this fractures and strains relationships around Leanne and Oliver – everyone’s terrified, it’s the unknown. It’s a hard watch, even more so in the current climate, but it’s truthful.
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, isn’t it?
It is. I’ve got two boys myself. As a parent, it’s unimaginable. You don’t ever want to go there in your head, really. Can I just add, I’ve been working with the two little boys that share the role of Oliver – who’s three – since the start when they were only six weeks old. They’ve always been brilliant! They’re gorgeous, I’m very fond of them.
How’s home-schooling going, dare we ask?!
My youngest is about to finish primary school, and my eldest goes into his GCSE year in September, so they’re at completely different stages. They’re normally arguing over the laptop – it’s trying to work some structure in, without being too pushy. We can’t replicate a school day, no way! Hats off to teachers. It’s really stressful!
You’ve said you and Rob have only had ‘about two rows in 20 years’. Has that ratio changed since lockdown?!
You know what, no! The weather was gorgeous for ages, we’re really appreciating each other, and we’re lucky to have a garden and a house with the space to be apart, if we need ‘me’ time. We’ve found, one picks the other one up if they’re feeling a bit low. I’ve definitely been up and down.
Are you managing to keep fit at home?
The lovely Dan Whiston from Dancing on Ice is doing an online Zumba class, and they’re good fun. I’ve done Joe Wicks a few times with Sam, but it’s hardcore!
What’s the first thing you’ll do when lockdown ends?
Go and get my hair done! It’s a state.