‘Allowed to have bad days’ Jane McDonald on coping with grief following fiancé’s death

Jane McDonald, 58, became emotional when she joined Carol Vorderman on her BBC Radio Wales show today. The pair discussed the singer’s late fiancé, Eddie Rothe, who died last March aged 67 following a battle with lung cancer.

Carol, who has been friends with Jane since they appeared on Loose Women together, expressed her condolences and said Eddie was a “wonderful man”.

The host empathised: “I knew Ed, your wonderful man who died last year, and I know it’s tragic.

“I always said that he was the most smiley man I had ever seen in my life, he never stopped smiling and everyone adored him who met him.

“If I can ask you Jane, because I know it’s still very raw, about the support from fans and how important that has been?”

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Jane candidly explained: “I think we all go through times in life which are so devastating that we never think we are going to come out of it.

“But we do, and it is the support and the network that I have around me that has helped me through.

“I couldn’t have done it without the people around me. I’m so grateful to them.”

Jane pointed out that she has to take “baby steps” and acknowledged “you are allowed to have bad days” when coping with such heartbreak.

Ed’s death was confirmed on Jane’s Twitter page. A statement read: “It is with immense sadness that we share the news that Jane’s beloved long-term partner, Ed, passed away on March 26.

“He had been battling lung cancer for the last few months. We would like to thank everyone for all their help and support.”

Jane opened up about her fresh heartbreak on Friday’s The One Show as she chatted about her new documentary, Jane McDonald: My Yorkshire.

Speaking to hosts Rylan Clark and Alex Jones, Jane revealed the nightclub where she met Ed has been knocked down.

Jane said: “I had the best nights of my entire life in there. I was a barmaid and I even met Ed there.

“I tell you what, it could tell some stories.

“Now, it’s a car park, it’s rubble, it’s gone!”

Jane appeared tearful and Rylan tried to console her saying: “You will always have the memories.” Jane smiled and replied: “Ooh, you can’t take them away from me.”

Jane McDonald: My Yorkshire airs Sunday at 9pm on Channel 5.