Jane McDonald has delighted TV fans ever since her mainstream breakthrough in the 1990s.
Her assured and affable manner have charmed audiences of her Channel 5 shows.
But Jane – who is on screens on June 23 with her show Canary Islands with Jane McDonald – wasn’t always received so brilliantly – as a schoolgirl she suffered at the hands of bullies.
However, Jane’s unfortunate treatment didn’t hold her back. Indeed, she has previously explained how it helped spur her on to success.
Jane McDonald on bullying hell
During a 2019 interview to promote her second autobiography, Jane revealed being a victim of bullies actually assisted her musical ambitions.
That’s because it led to her developing a closer bond with someone who would influence her inestimably.
However, Jane still noted how she ‘lived in fear’ of those who targeted her.
It made me a better musician.
She said of her experience of being bullied: “It made me a better musician.”
‘I was so afraid’
Jane explained: “Because I was so afraid of the girls that bullied me, my teacher Mrs Brierley picked up on what was happening and let me go inside at lunchtime to practise the piano.”
And it turns out that opportunity proved very helpful as Jane developed her musical skills.
West Yorkshire-born Jane, 61, said she also kept in touch with the ‘inspirational’ teacher who took such an interest in her.
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Jane continued: “Mrs Brierley was such an inspiration to me and helped me so much at school. She’s in her 90s now, but we’re still in touch and we love writing letters to each other.
“She loves it that the shy little girl from Wakefield she used to teach has become a success.”
Read more: Jane McDonald ‘hasn’t got the time’ for Loose Women return as she gushes over former co-stars
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