Jill Halfpenny's outlook on life changed after her partner's death
Jill Halfpenny takes a more care-free approach to life following the sudden death of her partner Matt Janes at the age of 43 after he suffered a heart attack in 2017.
Jill Halfpenny gained a renewed appreciation for life after the tragic death of her partner Matt Janes.
The 50-year-old actress has revealed the sudden loss of Matt – who passed away aged 43 in 2017 after suffering a heart attack – means she "cares less about what people think".
Jill – whose father died when she was just four years of age – told HELLO! magazine: "It makes you understand that life is precious, and that it really can end at any moment.
"Certainly with my experiences of loss, where they've been very sudden, it makes you think about living for today."
The former EastEnders star added: "There are other things to worry about. We all spend way too much time wondering what other people might be saying about us, and the real truth is that no one is that interested. Everyone's just living their own lives.
"The best thing to do is to live your life, and when you can, be kind and empathetic. It's a freedom you get when you're older, when you're like: 'Who cares?'"
Halfpenny stars in the new Paramount+ series Girl Taken – which centres on a family in rural England whose lives are shattered when their daughter is kidnapped by her teacher and is based on Hollie Overton's novel Baby Doll – and admits that she was "interested" that the plot focused on the aftermath of the kidnapping.
The actress, who has appeared in dramas such as Liar and The Long Shadow, said: "I'd worked previously with the director, Laura Way, whom I love. I read the novel and it's a terrible thing to have to admit, but, as women, we've all thought that it could happen to us.
"I thought it was interesting to watch that story being played out and, instead of focusing on the captivity, to focus on what happens after that.
"People think that the minute someone's found, it's a happy ending. But you've got all the trauma, the PTSD and what's happened with the family."
Jill celebrated her 50th birthday last year and explained that she feels "more galvanised than ever" as she looks ahead to life beyond the milestone age.
The Strictly Come Dancing 2004 winner said: "I've got loads of creativity in me. There's no part of me that feels as though I'm on a downward trajectory. I'm on an upward trajectory. I've got loads of ideas and feel more galvanised than ever.
"I also have a bit more of an understanding of the world – that things can change at any moment and turn on a dime for good or bad. So I think you hit 50 and go: 'OK, I'm halfway through, if I'm lucky. Let's really enjoy this second half.'"
