Singing icon Jane McDonald says she isn’t ready to give up on life—or love—despite still carrying the grief of losing her fiancé, Eddie “Ed” Rothe, four years ago.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror and OK! Magazine, the 62-year-old star admitted that a part of her will never fully come to terms with Ed’s passing. Yet she remains open to the possibility of romance, saying she’ll “never say never” because “you don’t know what’s around the corner.”
Jane adds that even if love doesn’t return, she feels grateful for the time she shared with Ed and for the supportive circle of friends who now bring joy to her life.
Jane McDonald first met Ed, the drummer for Liverpool rock band The Searchers as a teenager. They rekindled their romance in 2008, but their love story was tragically cut short when Ed passed away in 2021 after battling lung cancer.
She says she navigates the “awful” grief by actively filling her life with joy, explaining that there’s no way to truly “deal with it,” as the pain is something she carries every day. Yet she chooses happiness, believing Ed would be “mortified” if she stayed home feeling miserable. She still talks to him daily and senses his presence, saying, “Every day, I feel like you’re there.”
Jane finds comfort in her belief that the spirits of loved ones live on, and that conviction helps her keep moving forward despite the loss.
One of the biggest sources of joy in Jane McDonald’s life is her long-time friend Sue Ravey, who lives with her in Wakefield and has joined her on Celebrity Gogglebox as well as her travel series. Jane agreed to appear on Gogglebox only on the condition that Sue could join her, explaining, “She’s a good egg, she tells it how it is, and she makes me laugh.”
In recent years, Jane has also been embraced as an LGBTQ+ icon—a role she finds both surprising and deeply moving. She describes herself as “not judgmental in any shape or form” and simply wants everyone to “come and have a good time.” Next year, she will headline the Gay Icon slot at Mighty Hoopla, marking her first-ever festival performance.
Jane McDonald’s career continues to flourish, from her viral TikTok performance of Cake By The Ocean to recording her 11th studio album, Living The Dream, in Nashville. The album is now set to be featured in a two-part Channel 5 documentary in 2026.
One of the most poignant tracks is Beautiful Soul, the first song she has written directly about her late fiancé, Ed. She admits she isn’t sure how she’ll manage performing it live: “It’s about him not being here anymore… he outshines the stars.”
Her 2026 tour will feature a blend of new material and fan favourites, including her iconic Disco Medley. Jane promises the shows will be emotional but ultimately celebratory, full of joy for her audience.
Between touring, recording, and her cruise ventures—with a second Cruise With Jane McDonald already planned for next year—Jane jokes that she barely has time for anything else. A return to Loose Women is off the cards, though she fondly recalls her time on the show: “We were like Sex and the City back then!”
With even more projects in the pipeline, Jane hints that 2026 could be her busiest year yet. “I can’t say any more… but watch this space!”