Five years after her fiancé Eddie Rothe’s heartbreaking death, Jane McDonald is still navigating grief and the possibility of finding love again. This weekend, the Channel 5 star joins James Martin on ITV’s Saturday Morning, surrounded by chefs Judy Joo and Curtis Stone, plus master mixologist Merlin Griffiths.
But it’s not just her professional life in the spotlight. March marks a poignant anniversary—the tragic loss of Eddie, her fiancé, to cancer in 2021 at the age of 67. Their love story spanned decades, starting when Jane was just 17. After a brief romance, they separated but rekindled their bond years later, eventually getting engaged in 2008. Tragically, Eddie was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and passed away in March 2021.
Since then, Jane has bravely shared her grief, admitting in Yours Magazine that the loss “stays with you all the time.” But does she still believe in love? Speaking to The Mirror and OK! Magazine, Jane revealed, “I’ll never say never, because you just don’t know what’s around the corner, do you?” Yet, she added, “If it never happens, then fine. I had a great partner who I feel very blessed to have had in my life.”
In a surprising turn, Jane made a bold decision last year, putting her £1 million mansion—a home she once thought would be her forever place—on the market. Though selling the house was emotional due to the memories it held, Jane has now downsized to a smaller property. She now shares this home with her close friend, Sue Ravey, who joined her on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox.
Reflecting on the changes in her life, Jane confessed, “There is a positive side to grief, which is freedom. I can now choose to do what I want, when I want. It was hard for me to adjust to that, but now I’m embracing it.”
At 62, Jane is embarking on new adventures, including her upcoming Channel 5 series, Jane McDonald’s Nashville. The two-part special, airing in 2026, will see Jane explore the Southern charm of Nashville, with visits to the famous Jack Daniel’s Distillery, the Parthenon replica, and a tour through historic homes. Along the way, she’ll experience the music that makes Nashville famous, from the Bluebird Café to the Grand Ole Opry.
Could love be on the horizon for Jane? She’s certainly open to new possibilities—but for now, it’s about embracing the freedom to live life on her terms.
