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Star is in talks to come back to the ITV show a decade after her exit
It’s been ten years since Jane McDonald left Loose Women but she could be making her comeback to help the show celebrate a significant date. The Cruising star, 60, quit ITV’s lunchtime programme in 2014 to focus on her music career but insiders reveal that telly bosses are hoping to entice her back for the show’s 25th anniversary in September.
“In September, Loose Women will celebrate 25 years on air, a feat nobody, especially the critics, thought they could achieve. But they have proved everybody wrong and bosses want to go all-out with the celebrations, including bringing back some Loose Women legends. And top of the list is Jane McDonald,” the source tells us. “For many she is the ultimate Loose Woman and they will do anything to make sure she’s involved.”
Jane joined Loose Women in 2004, appearing on the show three times a week, before leaving six years later for her touring commitments. She returned in 2012 but made the decision to leave the show permanently in 2014 to focus on her music career, amidst rumours of a shake-up with younger panellists.
“It’s easy to keep doing something safe, but I’m a singer. It’s been an incredible ten years and I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.
As well as trying to persuade Jane back for the milestone, execs are said to be keen for the singer to make a longer-term return to Loose Women. She has only made guest appearances on the show since she left. However, she is embarking on a UK tour throughout October and November, her first tour in three years.
“They also want to try and convince Jane to come back as a regular. The viewers would love it and they would happily make it work on Jane’s terms,” the insider reveals. “She has become a much bigger star since she left and has gained even more of a cult following, so bosses know they’ll be on to a winner. But it will be hard trying to convince Jane to back as she doesn’t need the show.”
Jane lost her beloved mum Jean – who she lived with and called her “best friend” – in 2018, and her fiancé Eddie Rothe passed away from cancer in 2021. Jane has revealed how losing Ed, her teenage sweetheart, made her reflect on life and rethink her work-life balance.
“My life has changed a lot. But by God, I’m going to enjoy every minute of it now. Because that’s what we’re supposed to do,” she said. She also said, “This has taught me that life is for living and I will live it even more… At my age I know
