Beloved singer and television personality Jane McDonald has made the difficult decision to sell her cherished home of twenty years, citing overwhelming grief following the devastating losses of her mother and fiancé within a short period.
A Home Filled with Heartbreaking Memories
Jane McDonald, 62, has parted with Cleevethorpe House, her five-bedroom detached bungalow in Wakefield valued at around £1 million. The Yorkshire-born star, known for her roles on Loose Women and her travel programmes, had meticulously restored the property over two decades. She told the Daily Mail that the residence held "too much history," serving as a constant and painful reminder of her bereavement.
The first tragic blow came just days before Christmas in 2018, when Jane's mother, Jean, passed away. Jane described this loss as a "light in her heart" going out. Heartbreak struck again in March 2021 when her fiancé, Eddie Rothe, died from lung cancer at the age of 67. The couple had first fallen in love in the 1980s, rekindled their romance in 2008, and became engaged later that same year.
Embracing Change and New Traditions
The process of moving was a monumental task, involving clearing two decades of accumulated belongings. Jane required seven skips to empty the home, a process she found emotionally challenging. She credited her close friend and housemate, Sue Ravey, for her support during this time. The pair, who met as singers in their twenties and have appeared together on Celebrity Gogglebox, now live together.
"She's great. She'll ask me: 'Why you holding onto this?' Take a picture of it and bin it," Jane explained. This partnership has been a cornerstone of her new life. Sue moved into the Wakefield bungalow with Jane after Eddie's death, and they have since purchased a more compact local home together, along with a coastal retreat.
Jane has also had to adapt her family traditions, notably Christmas, which was always hosted at her former home due to its large table and space. "Times change and you have to change with it. I'm now making new traditions," she stated, acknowledging that while many would wish to turn back the clock, moving forward is essential.
Finding Peace and Freedom After Loss
Despite the profound sadness, Jane is focusing on the positive aspects of her new chapter. She emphasises the freedom that has come with processing her grief. "We all need peace in our lives and I've got that now," she revealed. "I can now choose to do what I want, when I want. It was hard for me to adjust to that, but now I'm embracing it."
This period of reflection was highlighted last year during an emotional moment on her Channel 5 travel show, Jane McDonald: Lost in Japan. While receiving a traditional O-mikuji fortune reading, she was moved to tears by a message that spoke of comfort with family and future success, which was confirmed as good luck by her guide.
Jane McDonald's story is a poignant testament to navigating profound loss, the importance of friendship, and the courage it takes to build a new life from the foundations of an old one.
