Tony Cowell meets Jason Donovan
Jason Donovan on daughter Jemma joining the soap, and working with Sheridan Smith
Pop heart-throb Jason Donovan has ridden the rollercoaster of fame – and been very open about overcoming cocaine addiction during the 90s. He’s sold over 13 million records, in Neighbours his character Scott sensationally married Charlene (Kylie Minogue), he’s appeared on
Strictly and sweated in the jungle on I’m
ACelebrity… Now, the actor and singer, 51, is receiving rave reviews for playing Pharaoh in the 50th anniversary production of JosephAndThe AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat, alongside Sheridan Smith. He tells best why returning to the role he first played 28 years ago is like coming home.
How does it feel returning to Joseph? Fantastic! I have a wonderful, emotional connection with this show. When Joseph appeared in 1991, it was a cultural pop hit and transcended any other theatrical experience. It gave me my first No. 1 with Any Dream Will Do, and I think people love this show because it’s so uplifting. The London Palladium is Joseph’s spiritual home, and for me it’s not through luck that I’m back here – it’s just good timing. It feels like coming home. Look, I’m 51 now – this is not going to happen to me that often. I’m just going to enjoy it.
Did you feel nervous on the first night?
I always get very anxious – I hate first nights, because you really can overthink the situation. I always want to try and impress and get everything right, but that can sometimes go against me. Everyone else thought I did well – so that’s all that matters.
Did you reunite with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice?
Yes, I did. Tim and I always share a joke about cricket, and Andrew, well, he’s a legend. He’s done so much for theatre. History is definitely going to remember him well.
What’s it like working with Sheridan Smith [who plays The Narrator]?
Sheridan is great. She’s crazy, she’s very talented and I think we’re very similar in a way because we’ve both had our ups and downs in life and Sheridan has had her own problems with mental health issues recently. But I think people love her and want to see her doing well again, and I think she is back to her best. She is brilliant in this show, and I love working with her.
You first played Joseph 28 years ago – do you have dark memories of that time?
My downfall came after I had finished Joseph. I couldn’t have done eight shows a week without being totally focused. It was a little later that the whole drug thing happened and my life went a bit pearshaped. But hey, I don’t regret any part of my life. You learn from it and grow.
Do you still have ambitions to top the charts again?
Look, I’m not a budding songwriter sitting at home, sweating over a chorus to a song I can’t finish. Neither do I particularly want to put out another album of covers, but the fact that I can play Pharaoh in Joseph and then go and play Billy Flynn in Chicago in December fills that creative space that I miss – rather than just standing on stage singing Too Many Broken Hearts every weekend.
You turned 51 in June – are you in a happy place?
Haha, I am when I’m winning. I feel healthier and fitter than I’ve ever been and I’m having a little moment again and I’m loving it – so yes, I’m in a very happy place right now. My daughter Jemma is currently in Australia and has joined the cast of Neighbours and that makes me very happy because not only is she following in my footsteps, but also her grandfather’s [Jason’s dad, Terence Donovan, has also starred in the soap]. My son has just finished A levels, so it’s all good right now and I feel blessed.
You reunited with Kylie at Hyde Park last year – was that emotional?
It was amazing, one of those little moments we have together over the years. I don’t have her on speed dial, but we do chat on WhatsApp quite often. It’s all about nostalgia at the moment and that’s why they wanted her at Glastonbury this year. Kylie’s a legend and people love the 80s.
Any plans for more TV – would you consider a judging role on or
The Voice The X Factor? Well, I love both those shows and I think I certainly have the ability to make an informed decision over whether a contestant has talent or not – so yes, I would quite like to do something like that!
Joseph And The Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat is at the London Palladium till 8 September – see josephthemusical.com. Jason Donovan is playing the 80s Invasion Tour 2019 – see jasondonovan.com