Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has melted fans’ hearts after sharing a touching tribute to his co-star and “bestie” Jane Hazlegrove, proving that some of the strongest friendships formed on the cobbles continue long after the cameras stop rolling.
The young actor, who plays Sam Blakeman in the ITV soap, celebrated Jane’s birthday with a series of emotional and humorous social media posts, reflecting on the unique bond they have built since first working together in Weatherfield.
While Coronation Street is known for its dramatic storylines, unexpected twists, and explosive family conflicts, Jude and Jane’s friendship has become one of the show’s sweetest behind-the-scenes relationships — with fans regularly enjoying glimpses of their close connection away from the screen.
Jude Riordan Shares Emotional “How It Started, How It’s Going” Tribute
Jude, who joined Coronation Street in 2020 as Nick Tilsley’s previously unknown son Sam Blakeman, took to Instagram to mark Jane’s special day with a heartfelt throwback post.
The actor shared a collection of photographs showing the pair from their early days working together on the soap, alongside more recent moments that highlighted just how much their friendship has grown over the years.
Captioning the post, Jude joked about the unusual rules surrounding workplace friendships.
“How it started > how it’s going. 2020 > 2026. What’s the rules on work bestie ages as we’ve made up our own,” he wrote.
The message perfectly captured the playful dynamic between the two actors, with Jude affectionately suggesting that their bond had developed far beyond a typical co-worker relationship.
Jane was quick to respond, even joking that Jude’s post was important enough to make her break her Instagram break.
“Broken my insta ban… just for you @justjude7! Love you kid… You have always been AMAZING!” she commented.
The sweet exchange immediately delighted fans, who praised the pair’s genuine friendship and the warmth they bring both on and off screen.
Jane Hazlegrove’s Coronation Street Journey As Bernie Winter
Jane Hazlegrove has become a much-loved figure among Coronation Street viewers thanks to her portrayal of Bernie Winter, a character introduced in 2019 as a free-spirited woman with a larger-than-life personality.
When Bernie first arrived in Weatherfield, she was described as someone who still saw herself as an adventurous “old raver” with a rebellious streak. Over time, however, viewers have discovered many different sides to Bernie, from her fierce loyalty as a mother to her emotional vulnerability.
Her storyline has taken her through plenty of highs and lows, including complicated family situations, personal struggles, and most recently, her unexpected romance with local businessman Dev Alahan.
Bernie’s relationship with Dev has allowed viewers to see a softer side of the character, while Jane’s performance has helped turn Bernie into one of the soap’s most recognisable modern additions.
Away from the drama of Weatherfield, Jane has also formed close relationships with many of her younger co-stars, including Jude, whose career has grown significantly since joining the soap.
Sam Blakeman Star Jude Riordan’s Rise On The Cobbles
Jude Riordan first appeared on Coronation Street as Sam Blakeman in 2020, arriving in Weatherfield as the son of Nick Tilsley and the late Natasha Blakeman.
His introduction created an emotional storyline as Nick discovered he had a child he never knew existed. Since then, Sam has become a central part of several major plots, earning praise from fans for his mature performances despite his young age.
The character has faced heartbreak, grief, and difficult family situations, including losing his mother and navigating life-changing events around him.
Jude’s performances have made him one of the soap’s standout young stars, with viewers often praising his emotional range and natural screen presence.
However, it is his relationships with fellow cast members away from the cameras that have also attracted attention, particularly his friendship with Jane Hazlegrove.
Their bond has become a reminder that the Coronation Street family extends beyond fictional storylines, with many cast members forming genuine friendships during their years working together.
Birthday Celebration Turns Into Pizza Disaster
Jude continued celebrating Jane’s birthday with another hilarious Instagram update, revealing that he had taken his co-star out for a birthday meal.
The actor shared a photo of himself and Jane enjoying pizza together, but the focus quickly shifted to the enormous size of his own order.
Explaining the funny moment, Jude admitted he had underestimated the size of the pizza when ordering.
“Took JHG out for birthday pizza. This pizza was just mine. I miscalculated the size. This is what happens when I go up and order on my own,” he joked.
He added:
“It’s not photoshopped, it was the size of the moon. Go big or go home!”
The post quickly attracted attention from fellow Coronation Street stars, with Georgia Taylor responding with laughter.
“Pahahhahahahahah oh honey this is hilarious,” she commented.
Junade Khan joked that he was surprised Jude had not managed to finish the huge meal, while Jane Danson admitted she was still laughing at the situation.
Fans also joined in, praising both Jude’s sense of humour and the friendship between the two actors.
One supporter wrote that they loved Jude and Jane’s friendship, while another joked that the pizza would probably last him a week.
Fans Celebrate Coronation Street’s Real-Life Friendships
The reaction to Jude’s tribute highlights how much viewers enjoy seeing the personal connections between their favourite soap stars.
While Coronation Street is built around fictional drama, heartbreak, and conflict, moments like Jude and Jane’s birthday celebration offer fans a different perspective — showing the genuine friendships that develop behind the scenes.
For many viewers, seeing younger actors like Jude form strong bonds with experienced performers such as Jane adds another layer of appreciation for the soap’s cast.
Their relationship reflects the unique environment of long-running television dramas, where actors often spend years working together and become part of each other’s lives beyond the programme.
As Coronation Street continues to deliver emotional storylines from the cobbles, fans will no doubt continue enjoying these lighter moments that reveal the real personalities behind the characters they love.
For Jude Riordan and Jane Hazlegrove, their “work bestie” status appears stronger than ever — proving that some Weatherfield friendships are just as memorable off-screen as they are on-screen.
