Jane McDonald, beloved for her powerhouse vocals and dazzling smile, has revealed the deeply emotional reason behind her decision to sell her £1 million family home after devastating losses. The star, who has faced unimaginable grief with the deaths of her fiancé and mother, has finally found peace in a new chapter of her life.
After the death of her fiancé, Ed, in 2021, Jane made the difficult decision to part ways with her stunning five-bedroom Cleevethorpe House, where she had lived for two decades. “There was too much history there,” she admits. The memories were simply too painful to bear. Now, she’s found solace in a smaller, single-story bungalow in the same area, describing it as a sanctuary for her to heal. “We all need peace in our lives, and I’ve got that now,” she said.
But there’s more to this life-changing move! Jane also revealed she’s now living with her best friend, Sue, in an unconventional but heartwarming arrangement that’s been a source of support and comfort. “We both lived on our own, and I invited Sue to move in,” Jane shared. The two spend nearly all their time together, and Jane’s new home in ‘Shakey Wakey’ is the perfect place for the two to thrive together.
The downsizing process was a tough one, with Jane admitting that she had to part with seven skips’ worth of belongings. “I was ashamed of myself. You’ve got to let it all go,” she confessed. Yet, as painful as the move was, Jane found a silver lining in her grief. “There is a positive side to grief, which is freedom. I can now choose to do what I want, when I want.”
This newfound freedom has propelled Jane into a whirlwind of activity, including her Living the Dream tour and a brand-new album. As she travels the world on her own terms, she reflects on how grief has changed her, saying, “Grief never leaves you, it’s awful. But what you have to do is bring as much joy into your life to sit alongside it so that it balances.”
For those missing out on seeing Jane live, you can catch her in her Channel 5 series, Jane McDonald: Pole to Pole, where she embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Antarctica and the Arctic Circle.
