INTERVIEW: Singer Jane McDonald on the glitz and glamour of her latest tour, visiting Vegas and life after Loose Women

Sep 7 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

DOWN-to-earth diva Jane McDonald is bringing the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to New Brighton later this month.

Thirteen years after BBC documentary The Cruise turned her into a household name, the Yorkshire-born singer is still passionate about performing.

She found a new audience on daytime television programme Loose Women but left the show after six years last summer to concentrate on music.

Jane is now in rehearsals for a 25-date UK tour which comes to the Floral Pavilion Theatre on Thursday, September 22.

She will perform with a full orchestra, four backing singers and singer Daniel Pearce, who joins her for a duet during the show.

“I’m getting into gear for it and I’m down to one Mars Bar a day,” she jokes. “You hear about how people prepare but I do nothing, I’m absolutely shocking! But my costumes have got the scaffolding in.”

On her latest tour Jane has a new orchestra led by Barry Robinson, who has worked with stars like Whitney Houston and Natalie Cole.

“He came and said I’d like to work with you,” she recalls. “I said ‘What? Is he taking the mickey?’.

“But my God it doesn’t half shake you up. He’s so precise and he’s really stretching me. Some of the songs I never thought I’d be able to sing and he’ll ask for three key changes!

“He’s brought the Vegas feel and it sounds amazing. We’ve got the glitz and the glamour but it also has a very modern feel.

“It’s bringing Vegas to New Brighton. We all can’t wait to get on stage and that’s quite infectious.”

Modestly she adds: “The show is absolutely brilliant without me. I’m just the cherry on the top.”

Jane isn’t ruling out a return to Loose Women in the future but she says it was time to concentrate on her real passion – music.

“I took my eye off the ball a little bit,” she admits. “I was busy running down to London three or four days a week, trying to keep my label up and running and doing everything else that goes with this.

“I am a perfectionist. I’m the easiest-going person but if nobody’s doing the job, by God I’m a diva! This is not just my job – it’s my life.

“I just knew it was time to leave. The good thing for me is they’ve left the door open so if I miss it too much I can just go back.

“I’m lucky that I get offered lots of different things but I’m a singer first.”

After her tour ends Jane is planning a visit to Las Vegas, followed by writing a new book and recording a new album.

She said: “I’m so excited about going to Vegas! I’m going for inspiration for the new album.

“Then I’m taking some time out to write. I’m taking my mum away for Christmas and New Year so I won’t have any distractions.

“Everyone wants to know what’s happened in the last 12 years and I haven’t written about the break-up with Henrik.

“What’s happened in my life has been a dream come true and best of all, variety is coming back in a big way.

“Just look at Saturday night TV! Variety dominates! I’m quite trendy now.”

Tickets for Jane McDonald – The Tour are £30.50 from 666 0000 or www.floralpavilion.com