Jane McDonald explains why she won’t rush in to marrying teenage sweetheart Eddie Rothe

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:51 PM on 30th May 2011

Jane McDonald has spoken out about her love for fiancé Eddie Rothe, the man she first dated more than 30 years ago.

The former Loose Women star and musician Eddie met in 1980 and dated for six months before splitting up and moving on with their lives.

But now the pair are set to wed – although divorcee Jane admits she won’t be rushing in to walking down the aisle once again.

Loved-up: Jane McDonald has said she won’t be rushing in to marrying her teenage sweetheart Eddie Rothe

She said: ‘This must be the longest courtship and engagement in history. We first met when most people in this country weren’t even born!

‘I was bereft after my second marriage broke up. I didn’t date anyone seriously for seven years and could hardly expect anything with my track record. But this guy takes my breath away.

‘Ed’s been so patient. He’s fantastic, adorable and we’re having such a great time together. We are not rushing to get married. I love this one more than I ever loved the others and I don’t want to jinx it. In any case, I can’t afford to get divorced again.’

Second time around: Jane donned a wedding dress as she married Henrik Brixen on BBC fly-on-the-wall show The Cruise in 1998

The couple decided to split in the 80’s when Jane decided to pursue a career singing on cruises – a career which saw her become a celebrity after appearing on BBC fly-on-the-wall show The Cruise.

And Jane, who has been married twice, most recently to Danish engineer Henrik Brixen, also acknowledges it was fate which brought the pair back together.

She told the Daily Mirror: ‘My life has been a lot of being in the right place at the right time, so being back with Eddie has something of destiny about it. We both realise we are lucky to have found each other again.

Screen star: Jane has now given up her role as a panellist on ITV’s Loose Women to concentrate on her relationship

‘We haven’t set a date yet but this is fantastic. I have seen some nice guys but you need that breath being taken away from you – something I hadn’t experienced for many, many years and I thought I never would again.’

And Jane says she can still remember the moment she ran into Eddie once again.

She explained: ‘He was with The Searchers, who were on This Morning in the next studio. I looked up at the monitor and said to the make-up girl, “I used to go out with him”.

‘She said I had to say hello but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. I almost had to be dragged to see him. But then it was, Oh my God! Big smiles and he lifted me off the floor and said, “Where have you been?”

‘I feel like I’ve woken up and all of a sudden it is all happening. 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.’

Jane has now left her job as a panellist on Loose Women, while Eddie has given up his role as the drummer in band The Searchers, to concentrate on their relationship.