Singer and TV presenter Jane McDonald, 62, has admitted the real reason she sold her beloved Wakefield bungalow, which she had lived in for 20 years. The former Loose Women panellist had renovated the five-bedroom detached property to her specifications but last year she put the £1 million property on the market. This followed a harrowing period in the star’s life where she lost both her mother and fiancé within three years of each other. Her mother Jean died just days before Christmas in 2018 while her fiancé Eddie Rothe tragically died aged 67 in March 2021 after a battle with lung cancer.

Although she continued to live in the house in the immediate aftermath of the tragedies, she now admits: “I found it difficult. There was too much history there.” Jane didn’t move far however, purchasing a smaller house in the same area where she now lives with her best friend Sue Ravey, who has been seen on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox alongside the star.

 

She also purchased a seaside retreat and spends a lot of time there when not working. “We all need peace in our lives and I’ve got that now,” she told MailOnline in a new interview.

Confessing that packing up two decades of memories was difficult she said: “You’d be surprised at how much stuff you have. Seven skips later! I was ashamed of myself. You’ve got to let it all go.

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

Jane gave further insight into “tough times” on Christmas Day when she returned to the airwaves for a special show playing all of her favourite hits.

Sue Ravey and Jane McDonald sitting closely together on a sofa with snacks on a table in front of them in a Celebrity Gogglebox publicity image

Jane McDonald and best friend Sue Ravey live together and appear on Celebrity Gogglebox (Image: Channel 4)

Prior to the show, she took to the official BBC Radio 2 Instagram account with a heartfelt message.

“Hi everyone. It’s me Jane McDonald. I’d just like to wish you all a very peaceful and healthy Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

“I know some of us have had tough times, but I always think this will pass. And it’s time for festive fun, now.

And I really, really hope you all find love and laughter this Christmas. Lots of love.”