'My Life Is A Party'

Jane McDonald on the return of her hit variety show and her amazing 2018 so far…

- Caren Clark

It’s only halfway through 2018, but if TV Times was Jane McDonald, we’d need to lie down until Christmas!

By anyone’s standards, the first lady of variety is having a brilliant – and incredibly busy – year. After winning a BAFTA in May for her wonderfully addictive Channel 5 travelogue, Cruising with Jane McDonald, which has just finished its fourth series, she’s currently on a nationwide tour celebrating 20 years since she found fame as the star of docusoap The Cruise.

And this week, her all-singing, all-dancing entertainment show Jane McDonald & Friends is back on Channel 5 for a second series.

As TV Times catches up with Jane, 55, for an exclusive interview, despite her hectic agenda, it’s clear she is having an absolute ball. ‘It is a crazy schedule but I’m loving every minute,’ smiles Jane. ‘I’m exhausted but elated!’

Here, she tells us more…

What’s it like to be back for a new run of Jane McDonald & Friends?

We hoped people would like it, so to come back is spectacular. It’s just fantastic, escapist telly with big stars and a fabulous stage. There’s something for everybody. I wanted to do feel-good telly you can watch with your granny or your kids, like we used to have. So many people say they watch it with all the family; there’s nothing offensive, and that’s lovely for me.

Does it feel like a big party when you film the show?