Jane McDonald fights back tears as she reveals touching tribute to late husband and mum on new series of travel show
JANE McDonald fought back tears as she revealed a touching tribute to her late husband and mother on her Channel 5 travel show.
The much-loved presenter – who sadly lost her fiancé Eddie Rothe to cancer in 2021 – said she was overcome with “emotion” as she discussed a special moment in the series.
Jane, 59, joined hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp on Thursday’s episode of The One Show to share details about the return of her exotic travel show, which airs on Friday evening.
“Now Jane, let’s talk about your new show – Holidaying with Jane McDonald,” presenter Ronan said.
“Tell us where you’re taking us this time around!”
“Oh, I’m going to Mexico!” Jane replied excitedly. “Mexico this week and then Cyprus the week after.”
The former cruise singer reflected on her recent travels and described it as a “tonic”.
She continued: “I’ve done some fantastic things, I’ve let little turtles go, I’ve seen a very sexy Mexican cowboy playing polo!
“Oh, that was nice! Didn’t get a horse ride but you know just the memory of that was marvellous really.”
But after an emotional clip, Jane began to get choked up and quickly apologised.
The snippet from an upcoming episode saw Jane releasing some baby turtles into the sea – the former Loose Women named the hatchlings after her late partner and mum in memory of them.
Alex said: “We’ve got a clip, you mentioned the turtles – we can see it here, it’s really beautiful.”
“Look at them, they’re trying to get out!”
Jane revealed: “I’m calling one Ed and one Jean, after my late partner and mum.”
The singer became teary-eyed and said: “You have no idea how special this feels.
“And we’re getting to release them, I’m quite emotional.”
Back at the BBC studio, Alex gushed: “They are so adorable, aren’t they?” while Ronan pointed out: “That was quite a special moment for you.”
“Well it was,” Jane replied. “Because I just recently lost my partner and my mother at the same time…”
As her voice cracked, Jane continued: “Sorry, my throat went there, always does when I talk about them.
“And I just thought, ‘This is new life – go out,’ and… you’ve just got to think at the end of something comes something beautiful, a new life and that’s what we all have to remember.
“So it was quite an emotional bit for me and they all got down to the ocean, so I was so pleased to see them go.”
Jane was left devastated when her fiancé Eddie passed away last April after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The singer recently opened up on making a drastic change after she was left living alone in the home she shared with her fiancé.
She invited long-term pal Sue, 71, to move into “a part of” her bungalow as both the women were living alone.
Jane also opened up on struggling with life after Eddie’s passing – and thanked her family for getting her through the hard time.
“I was a mess, but they just got me through it. They really did. You can find love in many different ways – it can be a pet, it can be your fans, it can be your family, or your friends…” she went on.
“When you lose a lot of love – I lost my mum and Ed – and you just think, ‘I’m never going to fill that hole again’ but you do.
“It comes from other places, and that’s why you’ve got to let the light in and that’s what I’m doing.
“I’ve just stepped back from touring for a couple of years because it’s hard work. Sometimes you’ve got to step back and make space for great things to happen.
“That’s my motto in life. You’ve got to make things sometimes happen, and my life for the past seven years has been touring, recording, television, recording, and that’s just been constant.”