Jane McDonald was "spooked" when she visited the New Zealand city of Dunedin.
The 55-year-old singer turned presenter found a surprising link between her heritage and the city known as "the Edinburgh of the South" whilst filming the latest series of her Channel 5 show, ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’.
She explained to RadioTimes.com: "Lots of people from Scotland emigrated to that part of New Zealand and I visited a stately home called Larnach Castle where a bagpiper was wearing Ferguson tartan, which is my tartan because my mother is a Ferguson.
"I felt quite spooked!"
The former ‘Loose Women’ panelist – who won a BAFTA award for her programme – was left in awe of the country following her experience.
She said: "That was my favourite place because the views were incredible. I could have stayed for ever."
She went on to describe New Zealand as "probably the most beautiful place" she’s ever travelled to.
The TV personality added: "And when you sail there from Australia, as I did, your entrance is the Milford Sound fjord, which is breathtaking."
The show has seen Jane take a Christmas cruise through Europe, a wildlife cruise in Iceland and see the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with a Californian cruise.
After finding fame 20 years ago on the BBC documentary ‘The Cruise’, she believes that her current programme is so successful because she doesn’t follow any scripts.
She revealed previously: "I said please don’t give me scripts, just bring the camera and we’ll make it up. And it couldn’t have turned out better."
The popular travel show airs on Channel 5 every Friday at 9pm.
Jane McDonald was ‘spooked’ by New Zealand visit
