Jane McDonald addresses dating again and moving someone in 3 years after partner's death

Jane McDonald said she doesn't know what she'd do without her housemate and new co-star, as she addressed dating again following her partner Ed Rothe's death in 2021.

By Samantha Masters, Content Editor

Jane McDonald

Jane McDonald is in no rush to date again but hasn't ruled out the opportunity (Image: GETTY)

Jane McDonald isn't ruling out dating again following the death of her fiancé Ed Rothe, but admitted it isn't a priority.

The 61-year-old presenter was left heartbroken when her musician husband-to-be Ed died after a short-lived lung cancer battle, in 2021.

Jane has since remained single, but has been sharing her home with her best friend Sue Ravey, who features alongside her on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Discussing her future plans, the presenter said should a new love interest come into her life, he won't be replacing Sue.

Ed Rothe and Jane McDonald

Jane McDonald's fiancé Ed Rothe died after a short-lived battle with lung cancer in 2021 (Image: GETTY)

She shared: "I'm not saying I'd never date again, but it's way down on my list of things that I want to do.

"I was very lucky, I had the most amazing relationship with Ed, and not many people get that in life.

"So, if I never have another date in my life, that's fine. If I do, that's also fine.

"I'm not shutting the door, but I have a great life without thinking I need a man in it."

Lorraine: Jane McDonald says current house is 'too big'

Insisting she was fine with being single and enjoying time with loved ones, she added: "Singledom can be quite liberating."

In the same chat with Heat Magazine, the former Loose Women star, who is currently on tour, said a potential new lover won't cause Sue to move out.

Praising her best friend, Jane said Sue "came in like a superwoman" following Ed's death and doesn't know what she'd do without her.

The pair respectively have "their own sections" in Jane's home which "works really well", and they both come together in the kitchen to film for Gogglebox.

Ed, who was a member of The Searchers, had been living with cancer for "a few months" before he died, three years after Jane's mother.

The couple first got together as teenagers before they parted ways and found love again in 2008 when their paths crossed in the ITV studios.

At the time, Ed was being interviewed on This Morning, while Jane was a regular panellist on Loose Women.

Before his death, the couple had been engaged for 12 years and had been planning on finally tying the knot.

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