Ex-top cop turns TV detective in new role

AN Oldham-raised policewoman has turned her 30-year police career on its head — by becoming an actress.

And the first big role won by former Detective Chief Superintended Jane Antrobus, who grew up in Lees, isn't a big stretch for the long aarm of the law: she will be playng a top cop in an upcoming ITV drama.

Jane, who attended Leesfield and Blue Coat schools, joined Greater Manchester Police in 1980 and worked in Oldham for five years. She went on to become the first female Detective Chief Superintendent in 2009 before retiring in October 2010.

She then decided to take the plunge and try to turn her acting hobby into a new career.

The keen runner has struck gold with a lead role as Detective Inspector Jane Preston in “Crime Stories”, filmed documentary-style, about two police officers and their crime solving.

Jane covered real-life high-profile cases such as the murders of Moss Side teenager Jesse James in 2006, Sana Ali in Bury in 2007 and Clare Wood in Salford.

Jane said of her new role: “I’ve absolutely loved filming it, it was fantastic staying in London for six weeks and working on the same set that The Bill was filmed on.

“My own experiences really helped me fit in with the role, but I think I also helped with the authenticity of it. Because I’ve been in these crime situations I’m able to say if an interview technique is wrong, or if certain things wouldn’t happen. I think that has made it look very lifelike.”

The series begins on ITV1 on Monday at 2pm.


OUR website carries heavily edited versions of stories only available in full in our print and eChron editions
Follow us on Twitter: @OldhamChronicle