Jane McDonald has quit Cruising with Jane McDonald, her Channel 5 programme, after more than four years.

Making the announcement on her blog, the 56-year-old cruise legend hinted that she had some “exciting new projects” in store, along with focusing more on her music and tours.

“By now you will have seen the news about me stepping away from my shows on Channel 5. It’s been an incredible four and a half years of travelling, 38 cruises and over 100 flights. It’s now time for me to spend some time in the UK, concentrate on my music and tours and exciting new projects.

“I want to offer my most sincere thanks to everyone who has worked on all my shows. Everyone at Channel 5 and Viacom International Studios who have all helped make the most incredible and successful programmes.

“It’s been a total joy to work with everyone and thank you very much to everyone who has watched and supported the shows. I have had a blast!”

McDonald rose to fame in the fly-on-the-wall documentary The Cruise on the BBC in 1998.

Many cruise lines have appeared on the show during its run, including Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Victory Cruise Lines and Hurtigruten, to name a few.

The series won a BAFTA in 2018 in the features category. It has run for four series and featured itineraries ranging from the Baltics to Alaska, the Mekong and Mississippi.

However, 2020 will not be the last guests see of McDonald cruising in 2020 as she will be chartering her own Royal Caribbean cruise.

Taking place in September 2020, the cruise will sail from Southampton on Anthem of the Seas for eight days, with ports of call including Cherbourg, Vigo and Lisbon.