Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole: Yorkshire singer travels three days on four planes to Antarctic Peninsula and explorers glaciers in new Channel 5 show
Jane McDonald takes three days and four planes to travel to the Antarctic Peninsula in a new Channel 5 series.
Jane said she’s a “woman of a certain age” but in the Channel 5 series Jane McDonald: Pole to Pole she is determined not to let that define her.
She will throw herself into her Pole to Pole adventure and grab every opportunity with both hands.
In the upcoming episode which will air on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 9pm on Channel 5, Jane will take three days and four planes just to reach her starting point - the Antarctic Peninsula.
It will be the beginning of her expedition and as close to the South Pole as she can get. The frozen landscape is not for the faint of heart and, as her helicopter flies over snow-capped mountains and jaw-dropping icebergs to land safely on her Discovery Yacht, she’s beginning to appreciate the enormity of the journey ahead.
There is also just time for a relaxing glass of champagne in the ship’s bar to mark the start of her adventure.
Jane’s first exploration includes a zodiac ride around Winter Island getting up close with icebergs and the native wildlife. Back onboard, Jane gives long haul packing tips from her suite and meets fellow passengers for supper to share some transglobal tips and stories.
Later, Jane braves the dangerous Antarctic water in a two person kayak - and her guide Simon has to call for back-up when the weather turns and things get a little too ‘spicy’. To calm her nerves, Jane tries aerial yoga on the yacht to stay limber on her journey, before taking a Zodiac boat out to land on the volcanic Livingstone Island.
Jane explores the mountainous glacial terrain of Livingstone Island on foot and comes face-to-face with larger-than-life elephant seals - they’re the size of a car and, as Jane discovers, can move just as fast!
Finally, at the end of the first leg of her Pole To Pole journey, Jane takes a musical moment to share a very appropriate song and becomes one of just a handful of people to have performed on the Antarctic Continent.