Beloved cruise singer and television presenter Jane McDonald has spoken candidly about how she has been "forever changed" by a period of crippling grief, following the deaths of both her mother and her fiancé within three years.
A Painful Sequence of Loss
The Loose Women star's world was turned upside down, first by the death of her mother just before Christmas in 2018. The tragedy was compounded when, soon after, her partner of 15 years, Eddie Rothe, was diagnosed with lung cancer. Rothe, a drummer for the 1960s band The Searchers, passed away in 2021 at the age of 67.
Jane and Eddie had a long history, first dating in the 1980s when she was just 17. They parted ways but rekindled their romance in 2008, with Eddie proposing later that same year. His death marked the end of a profound chapter in her life, leaving her to navigate an entirely new reality.
Embracing a Radical New Normal
In the wake of this trauma, Jane made significant life changes to cope and move forward. One of the most poignant decisions was selling the £1 million family home she had spent years renovating. She revealed the property held "too much history" and became too painful to inhabit.
Instead, she purchased a smaller house in the same area and a seaside bolt-hole, seeking the peace she felt everyone needs. Her living arrangements transformed completely when her closest friend, fellow singer and Celebrity Gogglebox co-star Sue Ravey, moved in with her.
"She's still my bezzie mate," Jane said of Sue, whom she met in their twenties. "We're going to be on the coast together in January. We still do everything together. It works out great." Sue proved instrumental in helping Jane clear out belongings after Eddie's death, assisting her in filling "seven skips" and encouraging her to let go of physical memories she was clinging to.
New Traditions and a Liberated Outlook
Jane's approach to traditions has also evolved. Accustomed to hosting large family Christmases, she has instead begun celebrating "Friendsmas" with her pals, where none of them cook. "Times change and you have to change with it," she stated, acknowledging that while she would love to return to those big gatherings, she is now focused on creating "new traditions".
This philosophy of embracing change has extended to her personal outlook and body image. The star confessed that old hang-ups have dissipated; she hates the gym and simply "doesn't care" in the way she once might have. This sense of liberation is fuelling her passion for adventure travel, as seen in her new Channel 5 series, Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole.
In a heartfelt moment from the show, she reflected on her renewed perspective: “Tomorrow is never promised, and we have got a window. While we are still well and fit, we can do a paddleboard and fall in and get back up. Here is to adventure travel and new friendship.” For Jane McDonald, moving forward means embracing both the freedom and the friendships that help heal profound loss.
