Loose Women Star Jane Moore Breaks Down the Pain Behind the Smiles and Why the Jungle Felt Like a Spa

Jane Moore has revealed the emotional and physical toll of caring for her elderly mother while quietly dealing with the pressure of divorce and the reality of constant stress. The Loose Women panellist, now 63, is juggling life as a carer for her 94-year-old mum Pat, who is living with Alzheimer’s. And it’s taken its toll on her more than most people realize.

In a raw and honest piece for Platinum magazine, Jane opened up about the toll it’s had on her body and mind. She admitted to suffering “constant abdominal pain” — something she believes is stress-related — along with sleepless nights, despite having always been someone who could usually nod off without a problem, reported by the Wales Online.

She explained that life has been “a lot” lately, and being her mother’s power of attorney has come with a heavy emotional load. Add in the aftermath of her split from ex-husband Gary Farrow, and it’s no wonder Jane admitted she’s been running on empty.

All of that made the chance to join I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! last year feel like a gift. While most would dread sleeping in the jungle and living off rice and beans, Jane saw it as something completely different — a rare opportunity to unplug. She even cheekily referred to it as an “all-expenses paid reset,” saying it gave her the breathing room she desperately needed.

She knows some people might see that decision as selfish, but for Jane, it was a survival move. “It felt more like a spa break to me,” she admitted. While other celebs moaned about the bugs and boredom, Jane actually enjoyed it. She loved tending to the fire, doing camp chores, and chatting with her fellow contestants on a log, urging them to open up about their lives. The jungle was stress-free, and for someone who’d been holding it all together for so long, that was everything.

She was the first to be voted out after 15 days, but she didn’t mind. Jane left feeling “refreshed” and, more importantly, reassured. She realised it was okay to let go sometimes and trust others to help. Her grown-up kids were there for her mum, and Jane found peace in knowing she didn’t have to do it all herself.

Since then, she’s been encouraging others — especially fellow carers and women in their so-called “third age” — to take that time for themselves, whether it’s a walk, a cup of tea with friends, or just sitting quietly in the garden. It doesn’t have to be a month in the jungle to make a difference, reported the Manchester Evening News.

Jane’s journey started in journalism and saw her rise to become news editor at Sunday Sport before first appearing on Loose Women in 1999. She left in 2002 but returned in 2013 and has been a regular presence ever since, often anchoring the show. During her time away from the panel, she also popped up on shows like Question Time, The Andrew Marr Show and This Week.

She publicly announced her split from Gary on Loose Women back in 2022, adding a touch of dry humour by clarifying after his fall, “I didn’t push him.”