Jane McDonald was left with nothing after ex-husband ran her career into the ground
JANE McDonald has revealed how she ended up with nothing after her ex husband became her manager.
The singer, 56, opened up about former husband Henrik Brixen, who she split from in 2002, in her new autobiography Riding The Waves: My Story.
Jane admitted she felt "gullible and clueless" after her husband of four years started to control her career as manager.
In her book, which has been serialised by she said: "Your manager is your boss and tells you what to do, what to wear and who to be, so our relationship changed. I loved him with all my heart, but felt he’d stopped looking at me as a wife. I became a product.
"I couldn’t flourish in a relationship like this. Arguments were not only between manager and artist, but also husband and wife.
"The lines were too blurred. I was a slightly overweight Northern woman in her 30s but the stylists wanted me to be classier. 'Cut your hair, lose weight, stop talking, put your arms away'."
"I lost confidence and became introverted. Henrik and I once talked about having children but there wasn’t room for babies in his plans for me. I began to feel lonely in my marriage."
The couple met on a ship whilst filming the show The Cruise, where Henrik also worked as a plumber.
They married in 1998 in the Caribbean, which was televised by the BBC.
However, they marriage took a turn for the worse after Jane was dropped from her record company.
She continued: "I think it was almost worse for Henrik. I’m sure he must have been thinking: 'She’s on her way out.' Our marriage was already on the rocks when I went to stay with friends."
Despite her previous success and plenty of showbiz opportunities, Jane came to the realise she had little money in her account after handing over her the business side of her career to her husband.
She soon took back control and fired Henrik.
Jane added: "Eventually, I came to the devastating conclusion that I really did have nothing left. I told Henrik “I’m firing you as my manager.
"My work had dried up and it felt as if the whole industry had turned their backs on us.
"Henrik had loved me once but I could see in his eyes that he didn’t any more. He wanted to go back to America and live his life and I loved him enough to let him. In summer 2002 he left, briefcase in hand."
Eddie Rothe is Jane McDonald's current partner.
He is the former drummer of the 60s band The Searchers.
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They first dated for a few months back in 1980 when Jane was just 17.
They got back together in 2008 and are now engaged.
Since finding fame on BBC show The Cruise in 1998, Jane co-presented a number of daytime shows, including Loose Women and Star Treatment.
She is also known for her music, and can often be found touring.
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