Jane McDonald says she’s doing "so much better" after being "a mess" one year on since her fiancé Eddie Rothe died.
Jane joined Ruth Langsford, Coleen Nolan, Linda Robson and Carol McGiffin, to talk about her future as her friends, family and fans support her through the tough times.
Asked how she’s been doing since Ed’s death, Jane said: “I’m doing so much better and you realise just how important your family and friends are. I have more good days now than bad days and I relish those now.
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“I was very lucky - I’ve always had a very busy life without a partner, so I’ve been able to just carry on and my fans were just incredible. They got me through so much over the tour, so I’m very grateful.”
Carol said: “It must’ve been quite hard the first gig you did after [Ed’s death]?” Jane said: “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…
"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 happen sometimes, and my life for the past seven years has been touring, recording, television, touring, recording, and that’s just been constant.”
She revealed it was her best friend, backing singer and confidante - who she now lives with - who convinced her to take a step back. Jane said: “My friend Sue just said, ‘I can’t do this any more’ and it made me think, ‘Actually, what do we want to do now?'
“We got off the tour bus at half past five one morning and the sun was up and we hadn’t slept all night, the traffic had been really bad, and she just looked at me and said, ‘What are we doing? At our age?’ I said, ‘Speak for yourself!’ But I don’t think I’ll ever give it up. I’m just stepping back for a while.”
Jane also revealed that her niece has paid a touching tribute to Ed - by naming her son after him - and she’s besotted with the new arrival.
Of new baby Ed, Jane said: “He’s so beautiful, I can’t believe it. My niece Katie has had a little baby boy and they’ve called him Ed. He’s just gorgeous. I’m loving it and relishing it and spending time with Katie and Tom and my family and just seeing this new life.
“I’m so in love, I didn’t know you could feel that.” On turning 60 next year, Jane said: “I’m fine about that. I’m embracing it. I don’t mind getting old. I was born old."
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