My years of hell: JANE MCDONALD reveals why she had to sell her £1million forever home, the tragic impact of her mother and fiance’s deaths… and why she no longer cares what people think of her

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After experiencing the heartbreaking loss of both her mother and fiancé within three years, singer and television personality Jane McDonald remained in the Wakefield home she’d lived in for two decades.

However, last year she sadly decided to sell her renovated five-bedroom house, Cleevethorpe House, which was worth around £1 million. She had put a lot of love and effort into fixing it up.

In 2018, just before Christmas, singer Jane experienced the loss of her mother, Jean. She described the pain of losing her mother as feeling like a light had gone out within her.

In March 2021, Jane sadly lost her fiancé, Eddie Rothe, to lung cancer at the age of 67. They had originally dated in the 1980s when Jane was a teenager, and rekindled their relationship in 2008. Eddie proposed to her later that same year.

In a recent interview, 62-year-old Jane shared that she had to leave the house she once loved because it held too many painful memories.

She tells me: ‘I found it difficult. There was too much history there.’

The presenter, originally from Yorkshire and known for hosting Loose Women, has downsized to a smaller home in the same area and also purchased a seaside retreat. She now spends much of her time at the coast, explaining, ‘We all need peace, and I’ve finally found mine.’

Jane shares her home with her close friend, Sue Ravey. They first met in their twenties while performing as singers and later appeared together on the TV show Celebrity Gogglebox. After Jane’s husband, Eddie, passed away, Sue moved in, and the two women have been very close ever since.

She says they’re still very close friends and plan to spend time together at the coast in January. They continue to enjoy doing everything together, and she feels it’s a wonderful arrangement.

Despite everything, moving was hard for Jane. She had two decades of memories to sort through, and many of them brought up difficult feelings.

Honestly, hearing Jane talk really hit home. She was right – you wouldn’t believe how much stuff accumulates! It took seven whole skips to clear it all out, and I felt so embarrassed by how much I’d held onto. It was a real wake-up call; I finally understood I needed to just let go of everything I didn’t really need.

‘But Sue is great. She’ll ask me: “Why you holding onto this?” Take a picture of it and bin it.’

Jane used to host Christmas dinner for her family at her old house, but this year she celebrated with friends instead.

I’ve decided not to cook this year. We used to host Christmas dinner because we had the space for everyone, but things are different now. I’m starting some new traditions instead.

Look, life inevitably brings loss, and if I could relive those big, joyful family Christmases, believe me, I would. But dwelling on the past doesn’t help, so I’m choosing to focus on moving forward and creating new memories.

Surprisingly, grief has brought a sense of freedom. I now have the ability to live life on my own terms, doing what feels right for me, when it feels right. It took some getting used to, but I’m finally starting to enjoy this newfound independence.

Singer Jane embarks on a thrilling new adventure in her six-part television show, ‘Pole to Pole,’ premiering tonight at 9pm on Channel 5. The series follows her journey from the Antarctic to the Arctic, made possible through a partnership with Scenic cruises.

The first episode follows her journey to Antarctica, where she’ll brave the extreme cold. The Scenic cruise line offers helicopters and submarines, allowing passengers incredible access to the stunning scenery and wildlife.

Jane shared that she believes in the saying, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,’ and tries to live by it. Despite the freezing temperatures – and admitting she doesn’t usually handle the cold well – she managed to enjoy herself immensely. She described the experience as incredible and unlike any other vacation she’s ever taken, feeling like a true explorer.

While kayaking on a trip, Jane and her guide found themselves in a dangerous situation and had to be saved by the ship.

She described how a perfect day – sunny, with calm seas – rapidly changed into a frightening storm. The water became choppy, strong winds picked up, and sleet began to fall sideways. She was so surprised by the sudden change, she joked it felt like she’d stepped into a James Bond movie.

Jane says recent hardships have made her appreciate life more. She’s realized how quickly time passes and encourages herself to enjoy every moment, understanding that there are no second chances. She also feels very fortunate to have a job she loves and is thankful for it daily.

Honestly, I just love how Jane doesn’t give a single thought to what anyone else thinks! She says the best thing about getting older is just… not caring anymore. And she’s SO right! She says she’s got love handles, a tummy, a bit of sag – and she doesn’t care at all! She’s never had any work done, she just knows how to use makeup! She admits she’s terrible at going to the gym, which I find so relatable, but now she just walks outside whenever she can, and she says it’s amazing for your mental health and your fitness. It’s just… so refreshing to see someone be so unapologetically themselves!

Jane is excited about her upcoming 2026 tour, “Living the Dream,” because she truly feels like she’s living her best life.

I’ll keep traveling as long as people enjoy seeing me perform. Now that I’m not focused on someone waiting for me at home, I have the freedom to travel as much as I like. While grief is always there and incredibly painful, it’s important to fill your life with as much happiness as possible to create a sense of balance.

In addition to a performance at the London Palladium later this year, Jane will be appearing at the LGBTQ Mighty Hoopla festival in London’s Brockwell Park in May, as a featured ‘Gay Icon’.

Indeed, over the years she has gained a huge following among the gay community.

She says: ‘I’m deeply humbled and delighted. I can’t lie, I think icon is pushing it a bit.’

She absolutely wasn’t going to refuse the opportunity. Jane explained, “Age doesn’t matter as long as you’re healthy and capable – that’s how I live my life now.”

  • Jane’s new travel show, Pole to Pole, starts tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm and her album Living The Dream is available to pre-order and tickets for her tour are on sale now. All details can be found on jane-mcdonald.com

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2026-01-02 15:25