Beloved singer and television personality Jane McDonald has spoken candidly about navigating life four years after the devastating loss of her fiancé, Ed Rothe, while confirming she hasn't closed her heart to the possibility of love in the future.
Learning to Live With Loss
In an exclusive interview, the 62-year-old Yorkshire-born star revealed that while she continues to face daily heartache following Rothe's passing from lung cancer in 2021, she's discovered ways to find joy amidst the sorrow. The couple first dated as teenagers before rekindling their relationship in 2008, creating a love story that was tragically cut short when the drummer for Liverpool rock band The Searchers died at age 67.
"I don't deal with it. You can't. There's no such thing as dealing with it," McDonald confessed about her grief journey. "It's hard, it's every day for me. But what I've learned to do now is fill my life with as much joy as I can bring in, to sit alongside it."
The singer emphasised that this approach to healing is something she does for Ed as much as for herself. "He would be mortified if I were just sat at home, miserable. He'd be the first to say, 'What you doing sitting there? Get out there, Jane, do your thing.'"
Career as Comfort and New Beginnings
McDonald is channelling her energy into multiple professional projects that bring her fulfilment. Her forthcoming album, Living The Dream, scheduled for release next spring, includes deeply personal tracks inspired by her late partner. The recording process took place in Nashville and will be documented in a two-part Channel 5 series airing in 2026.
One particularly emotional song on the album, Beautiful Soul, was written specifically with Rothe in mind. "It's about him not being here any more," she shared, becoming emotional. "I'm supposed to be able to move on but it's taking me a bit longer. It's about how he can't compare to the stars; he outshines them."
McDonald's 2026 tour will feature songs from the new album alongside fan favourites, promising an emotional but ultimately uplifting experience. "Yes, it will be emotional, but the joy you'll feel at the end will be incredible," she assured fans.
Unexpected Honours and Viral Success
In recent years, McDonald has found herself embraced as an unexpected icon within the LGBTQ+ community, though she admits she's not entirely certain how it happened. "Everybody is welcome at my shows. I just think, 'Come and have a good time.' I'm not judgmental in any shape or form and maybe that's it," she reflected.
This recognition has led to her being booked for the prestigious Gay Icon slot at the Mighty Hoopla festival on Sunday, May 31 next year – marking her first-ever festival performance. "Did somebody ask for a gay icon? Well, it's me, I'm here, darlings," she declared enthusiastically.
The entertainer also experienced unexpected viral fame on TikTok last year with her tongue-in-cheek cover of DNCE's Cake By The Ocean. When asked about potentially collaborating with the Jonas Brothers (frontman Joe Jonas's band), she responded with characteristic enthusiasm: "Oh yes, I'll do a duet with the Jonas Brothers, my God, count me in for that."
Friendship and Future Possibilities
McDonald credits her close friendship with Sue Ravey, a long-time pal since their early singing days who now lives with her in Wakefield, as another source of joy. The pair have entertained audiences together on Celebrity Gogglebox and Cruising With Jane McDonald.
Reflecting on whether she might return to Loose Women, where she appeared as a regular panellist from 2004 to 2014, McDonald admitted she simply doesn't have the time. "I haven't got time," she said, though she fondly remembered her years on the show: "It's an era of my life that I'll never forget. We were like Sex in the City at that point."
As for romance, McDonald remains philosophical. "I'll never say never, because you just don't know what's around the corner, do you?" she revealed. "But if it never happens, then fine. I had a great partner who I feel very blessed that I had in my life."
She finds comfort in believing that although loved ones who die are not physically present, their spirit lives on. "That gives me huge comfort to be able to move on and do other things," she shared.
McDonald's calendar is already packed for the coming year, including her recently announced return to cruising with a second Cruise With Jane McDonald voyage scheduled for next October. With so many projects underway, she confessed she has "no idea" how she'll fit everything in, telling fans to "watch this space" for further announcements.
Jane's album Living The Dream is available to pre-order now via jane-mcdonald.com, with fans gaining exclusive access to tour pre-sale. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday, November 28.
