IAN HYLAND
You could never accuse Jane Mcdonald of not knowing how to get the best out of her contacts.
Just one week after her latest series of Cruising With Jane Mcdonald ended, the selfproclaimed Wonder Of Wakefield was back with a new run of Jane
Mcdonald & Friends – which not only featured a few acts that she may have bumped into on her travels, but also saw Jane giving audience members free holidays, courtesy of her good pals at a certain cruise company.
I do love this show, though. It might be cheesier than a Wotsits quality controller’s breath, but it never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s so unashamedly old-fashioned. It’s as if someone put the back catalogues of Marti Caine and Cilla Black into a giant mincer and just handed what came out a sparkly frock and a microphone and told her to get on with it.
That said, unlike Jane’s cruising escapades, I can’t see this one winning over the snooty Bafta judges.
You have to give Jane extra points for bravery, though. It was crazy enough her tackling Labi Siffre’s Something Inside So Strong so soon after
Barry from Eastenders had nailed it during that World Indoor Bowls interval.
But to risk being completely blown away by a brilliant Manchester gospel choir was bordering on reckless.
Jane’s nothing if not generous, mind. She even invited viral video star John Partridge up on stage after spotting him online doing the vacuuming in his briefs. Obviously, she made him take his shirt off again.
I said she’s generous. Not daft.
‘‘ Jane’s show is cheesier than a Wotsit quality controller’s breath