Jane McDonald Replaced On Channel 5 Cruising Show By Susan Calman

The former Loose Women star earned Channel 5 its first ever Bafta with her hit travel series.

Following the devastating news that Jane McDonald will be leaving her Channel 5 travel show, the broadcaster has confirmed they intend to keep the franchise going without her.

Instead, the show will return with a new host and a new name: Cruising With Susan Calman.

Yes, the Scottish comedian and former Strictly Come Dancing star is set to take over both Cruising With... and its spin-off Holidaying With… for future series, following the success of her own Channel 5 travel show, Secret Scotland With Susan Calman.

She said: “I’m over the moon to be working with Channel 5 on such a prestigious group of shows. 

“I can’t wait to go on exciting voyages and incredible journeys and take the wonderful viewers with me. It’s the start of a magnificent chapter and I can’t wait to get going!” 

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Susan Calman
Simone Padovani/Awakening via Getty Images

Channel 5’s Director of Programming Ben Frow also said Susan was his “first and only choice” to replace Jane McDonald, adding that he was “absolutely cock-a-hoop that she is doing more with Channel 5.

He said: “I have encouraged her to make both shows uniquely hers and I am genuinely excited to see how she evolves them in her own, inimitable style. The world is, literally, her oyster and I can’t wait to travel it with her.”

Cruising With Jane McDonald debuted in 2017, and has since gone on to become one of Channel 5’s most popular shows, even earning the network its first ever Bafta. 

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Jane McDonald
Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Explaining her decision to leave last week, Jane said: “It has been a privilege to call this a ‘job’. After so many years filming abroad I am looking forward to some much needed time in the UK and to focus on my music and tours and exciting new projects.

“Thank you Channel 5 for some great trips and many fabulous memories.”

In a separate blog post, Jane clarified that she was “stepping away from her shows on Channel 5”, suggesting her talk show Jane And Friends would also be coming to an end.

The good news is, Jane is apparently recording her last ever series of Cruising, so at least there’ll still be a few more laughs at sea – not to mention ridiculous musical numbers – before it sets sail with a brand new presenter at the helm.

12 Stars You'd Forgotten Were 'Loose Women'
Karren Brady(01 of12)
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Long before she was answering to Lord Sugar, The Apprentice star Karren was letting loose on the ITV daytime show.

She was one of the original line-up of ladies, appearing on the first episode in 1999.

And while her stint was short-lived, ending just a year later, Karren returned to the panel for an anniversary special in 2017, along with the rest of the women who appeared on that very first show.
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Kerry Katona(02 of12)
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Back when she was Kerry McFadden (those were the days, eh?), the Atomic Kitten singer appeared as a panelist between 2003 and 2004.

She was only 23 when she joined the show, making her the youngest Loose Woman regular ever, and her sometimes naive outlook on life meant she often clashed with Sherrie Hewson, providing many hilarious moments.
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Nina Wadia(03 of12)
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She's best known for playing the opinionated Zainab Masood in EastEnders, but Nina offered up plenty of opinions of her own when she appeared as a series regular between 2005 and 2006. (credit:REX)
Gillian Taylforth(04 of12)
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Another EastEnder who graced the Loose Women panel was Gillian Taylforth – better known as Walford's Kathy Beale.

The actress enjoyed two stints as a Loose lady, first in 2006 and again in 2008.
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Cilla Black(05 of12)
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While the late Cilla will be remembered for her huge TV hits Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, her last regular TV gig was actually as a Loose Woman.

She appeared first as a guest anchor in 2009 and was invited back as a regular panelist between 2010 and 2011, returning for a final appearance in 2014.
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Sarah Millican(06 of12)
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In our humble opinion, Sarah's tenure as a Loose Woman was simply not long enough.

The comic only appeared as a panelist for less than a year in 2011, before leaving to concentrate on her stand-up career.
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Beverley Callard(07 of12)
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During one of her many breaks from Coronation Street, Beverley (aka Liz McDonald) took up a seat behind the famous desk in 2010. (credit:REX)
Kym Marsh(08 of12)
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While Kym has recently enjoyed a few turns as a guest panellist, many have forgotten her original stint as a regular on the show in 2005, back when she sported an interesting (if that's the right word?) set of hair extensions. (credit:REX)
Claire Sweeney(09 of12)
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The former Brookside actress enjoyed over two years on the panel back in 2003, and later returned for six episodes in 2010, and a further two in 2012. (credit:REX)
Sheree Murphy(10 of12)
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Sheree was a welcome addition to the panel in 2006, after she finished playing Emmerdale's much-loved Tricia Dingle. While she left in 2007, she later returned as a guest panellist for an episode in 2015. (credit:REX)
Claire Richards(11 of12)
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After the departure of many of Loose Women's biggest names in 2013 and 2014, Steps singer Claire made a string of guest appearances. She impressed bosses so much, she was soon promoted to a regular.

However, a massive revamp of the show in the September of 2014 saw her leave the show with no explanation.
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Jenny Powell(12 of12)
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The Wheel Of Fortune assistant was finally given a break from turning around letters on a board in 2004, when she joined the Loose Women panel for a year. (credit:ITV)