Singer Jane McDonald's long-term partner Ed Rothe dies of lung cancer

Jane McDonald had been engaged to Ed Rothe since 2011

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 13: Walter Rothe and Jane McDonald attend the Virgin TV British Academy Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
(Image credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty)

Jane McDonald's partner Ed Rothe has passed away at the age of 67 after battling lung cancer over the last few months. 

The British singer-songwriter took to Twitter to confirm the tragic news, revealing Ed had died in a hospice on March 26. The couple had been together since 2008, after dating briefly during the 1980s as teenagers. 

They became engaged on Christmas Eve of 2011, but never married. The pair connected over their understanding of the music industry and their shared love of performing. Ed was was formerly a member of the bands The Searchers and Liquid Gold, while Jane has had a successful career as an easy-listening musician. 

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When they first became engaged, Jane gushed over how happy she was to be in a relationship with her childhood sweetheart once again. "I feel like I've woken up and all of a sudden it is all happening," she said. "I am genuinely having fun again. I'm more confident than ever and I've got a fantastic man who makes me laugh every day."

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.


Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.