TV personality Jane McDonald has spoken candidly about coping with grief following the death of her partner Ed Rothe in 2021. The 61-year-old star, who will appear in Florida with Jane McDonald on Channel 5, previously remarked that “a bit of tragedy doesn’t do you any harm”.
After losing Ed to lung cancer, McDonald said in a podcast: “When Ed died, he took our future.” She has since discussed adjusting to a “different life” and how staying busy helps her manage her loss. In 2023, she noted: “When you lose your partner it’s difficult, and your life changes so, so much. When you’re very busy you’re not thinking about loss.”
McDonald emphasised the importance of friendships and family, saying: “Trust me, I’m on a mission to live my life to the full and that’s my advice to everyone, don’t wait. Don’t wait for any experiences, just do it.”
Her resilience was evident as early as 2008, when she self-funded her album Jane. Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, she recalled writing songs with co-writer Lisa Harman during a difficult period: “It was a cathartic experience. We were both going through some tough things at the same time.” She added with a joke: “A bit of tragedy doesn’t do you any harm. Might as well use it to make a few bob.”
