Nearly five years after the death of her longtime partner, Jane McDonald admits the pain of that loss has never really left her.
The British TV star and singer recently spoke candidly about facing life after the passing of Eddie Rothe, who died in 2021 following a battle with lung cancer.
The couple first dated as teenagers before going their separate ways. Nearly three decades later, they unexpectedly met again on the set of This Morning and rekindled a relationship that many thought had long since ended.
They became engaged in 2008 but never went on to marry. However, for Jane, Eddie was always her true life partner.
Speaking in a recent interview, Jane admitted that while many people say time heals all wounds, she does not believe that is entirely true.
“You never really move on. The pain doesn’t disappear,” she said. “People say time is a healer, but for me it isn’t.”
Despite this, the performer said she has learned to live with the sadness rather than trying to forget it.
“What I’ve had to do is fill my life with as much joy as possible so it can sit alongside the sadness,” Jane explained. “That’s how I cope.”
After Eddie’s passing, Jane said she was left almost completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally. She revealed that she had cared for him almost single-handedly during the time he was battling illness.
“I barely slept and was constantly on high alert,” she recalled. “When he died, I was utterly drained.”
The singer admitted she spent many days staying at home, crying and avoiding the outside world. A close friend eventually recognised how much she was struggling and encouraged her to seek help from a therapist.
Small steps such as going for walks or returning to work gradually helped her regain a sense of balance.
Today, Jane continues to appear on television, including on James Martin’s Saturday Morning, and says her work has played a major role in helping her through the most difficult moments.
“Work keeps me busy, and when you’re busy you don’t think about the loss as much,” she said.
At this stage in her life, Jane says she is focused on living each day to the fullest, cherishing family, friends and new experiences.
“Don’t wait,” she advised. “If there’s something you want to do, do it. Life is too short.”
While she does not rule out the possibility of opening her heart to love again one day, Jane says she is currently embracing the freedom of being single — and learning how to keep moving forward, even while the memories remain. 
