Jane McDonald shares 'vomit' fear as she returns to host British Soap Awards
Gearing up to present the British Soap Awards, Jane McDonald admits the pressure is on - and she's even scared of emotions and nerves getting the best of her on the big night.
She's a bestselling singer, songwriter and one of our most beloved TV presenters – but that won't stop Jane McDonald from feeling starstruck (and nauseous) when she hosts The British Soap Awards.
Jane, 62, is a soap superfan and despite her busy showbiz schedule, she never misses an episode of Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders or Hollyoaks. 'You'd think I'd have a life but I don't, I watch everything,' says Jane.
'Those are the people that I'm starstruck by. I'll try to remember their real names!' Watching her favourite TV stars as themselves is a real thrill for Jane, but she admits her nerves leave her fearing she might be sick.
'It's great to see them letting their hair down and all dressed up, celebrating their craft and having the best night ever,' says Jane. 'But, for me, there'll be a bit of vomit actually because I am starstruck. To be able to present these awards is a massive thing for me. I've never got over being starstruck.'
Luckily, Jane has a plan to 'take the edge off' her nerves. 'Vodka tonic just works every time for me,' grins Jane. 'It's a tried-and-tested thing and it works. It's called taking the edge off and it works marvellously. Does that make me a bad person?'
Jane's had an incredibly successful showbiz career that snowballed when she stole the show on 1998 docusoap The Cruise . Now, 27 years later, she admits she wishes she could have relaxed more and spent time enjoying her success.
'I've got to a stage now where I'm loving what I do, but I wish I'd enjoyed it a bit more. It takes a long time to get into that comfortable mode.
We're blessed when people switch on a button or switch a remote. It's an honour to be in people's houses and you should always remember that.'
It's in that spirit that Jane will be attending the afterparty when she's finished hosting duties. It's her second time hosting, after taking over from Phillip Schofield, but the first time Jane's schedule meant she couldn't stay late. Now she intends to make up for lost time – perhaps with a few more vodka and tonics.
'I'm going to be with everybody because I don't have to rush off this time,' says Jane. 'I am going to enjoy myself and mingle a bit more.'
Asked if she'll stay until the end, Jane laughs and says, 'Damn right, my shoes might be off, but I'll definitely be there!' Jane plans to spend the night meeting her heroes and telling them how happy they've made her over the years.
'I'm a bit gushy. I'm a bit, 'Oh, I think you're marvellous,'' says Jane. 'It's nice to be told when you're good at something and I like to let them know how much joy they bring to so many, many people. That should be celebrated.'
Jane always brings a bit of fashionable sparkle to showbiz occasions – and this year will be no different. Though she draws the line at changing her frock in every ad break.
Talking about her evening dress, Jane laughs, 'Give me some sleeves this time! I don't mind showing my cleavage, but cover my arms up.'
It might be called The British Soap Awards, but Jane reckons our favourite TV shows have become much more than just soap operas – especially when they pull off big stunts like when Emmerdale crashed a limo into a lake this year.
'It's drama now, it's not just a soap,' says Jane. 'It's not Annie Sugden making scones in the kitchen, is it? It's not doing the sheep dip with Joe. It's people murdering people.
There's all sorts of things going on – car crashes, family feuds – but I love the fact that everybody still goes to the pub! Anyway, they have to work extremely hard and do long hours and freeze their nads off in the lake.
This is a celebration of an amazing set of people who keep us entertained every night of the week. They work extremely hard. And I take my hat off to them.'
Now Jane is hoping the show will also honour one of soap's longest serving stars – Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt in Corrie for 50 years.
'I mean, by God she's been through it, hasn't she?' laughs Jane. 'She's been such a stalwart and a great character. And she brought the Platts up. For goodness sake, she needs an award just for that alone.'
The British Soap Awards 2025 air on ITV1 at 8pm on Thursday 5 June.
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