‘Christmas Day - Is My Only Time Off!'

Jane McDonald explains why she’s so excited to be spending the festive break with her fiancé

- CHRISTINE SMITH

After a hectic year, TV star and singer Jane McDonald can’t wait to spend quality time with her long-term partner and love of her life, Eddie Rothe, this Christmas.

And the 56-year-old says being together by themselves over the festive period will be the perfect gift, especially as they have to spend large parts of the year apart, thanks to her busy schedule filming her hit Channel 5 cruising series.

‘I adore Christmas,’ confides Jane as she settles down to chat. ‘I’m having Christmas Day off and I can’t wait! This year, it’ll be Ed and me on our own at home.

‘We will get a little present for each other, but all I want for Christmas this year is some time with him. He will do the cooking, we’ll put a good box set on, and we’ll watch a bit of telly.

‘Being at home is a special time for us. It is our private time together.’

Jane and Eddie were once childhood sweethearts and, as she reflects on why their relationship works so well, Jane says the fact they have so much in common is a big factor. ‘He is very funny and he makes me laugh every day,’ she explains.

‘He also brings me a cup of tea every morning, no matter what.

‘I am married to my job and that is difficult for anyone, but Ed lets me go off and do what I need to do.’