Cruise control
Jane McDonald reveals what’s in her next Cruising series, and her delight at winning that BAFTA...
Q How did it feel to win a BAFTA for Cruising With Jane McDonald?
A Incredible! I’ll polish it every week! I’ve always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful?’ but never in a million years did I dream it would happen. When you get a BAFTA for something you’re passionate about it means the world. Q Cruising returns for a fourth series this week, starting with a two-parter exploring Australia and New Zealand… What were your personal highlights?
A Walking up Sydney Harbour Bridge with its breathtaking views – and jumping off the Sky Tower in Auckland was something I’ll never forget either. I was screaming, but it was the best experience ever. I also had the chance to visit to Larnach Castle in Dunedin, where everyone was wearing my family tartan! Q What is it that makes the series so special? A You see these beautiful places through my eyes and with my excitement. I want to show the great side of cruises because they get a bad rep sometimes. So many people now come up to me and say, ‘I’m going on a cruise because of you!’ It’s just wonderful. Q So what are your three cruising essentials? A My own tea bags and a kettle, nude-coloured pants and photographs of my partner Ed and my mum. Q Have you got any other projects coming up? A It’s all go but I’m not as young as I was, so I’ve got to pace myself! I’m off soon on my mammoth 20th-anniversary tour all over the country. But right now I’m filming a new series of Jane McDonald & Friends, which is going out on Channel 5 this summer. Q Is there anything you’d still love to do? A I really want to act, and I’ve been sent some amazing scripts. I get offered a lot of musical parts and I’ve done Cats for Andrew Lloyd Webber. When the right part comes up I will have to do it. Acting is one of my passions.