JASON DONOVAN – Interview for you promoting his CHEPSTOW CASTLE show as part of Castell Roc on Saturday 19th August.

I’m really looking forward to Castell Roc, it’s always good to be close to water, I love it.  Of course, I’ve been to Wales many times, it’s a beautiful place.  I played in Cardiff on my last tour, but I have done shows in other parts of Wales too. Always a good audience too.

What will you be performing at Castell Roc? Will there be lots of your hits? Do you enjoy singing these songs? Will there be any surprises?   

Yes, I will mostly be performing my hits, perhaps a cover or two.  I love performing these songs, they have been with me a while and make people happy.  Music is magic.  Songs always remind you of a moment in time, and the moment you hear the song, you’re taken straight back there.  Wow.  Isn’t that amazing.  So I hope you will enjoy the songs we have chosen for you.  Please sing along loudly!

 Do people in the UK still talk to you about Scott Robinson in Neighbours? What was it like returning to the Neighbours set last year?  

Neighbours was such an amazingly popular show in the UK in the 80s that the momentum of it just carried it through to that very last episode.  And now after all that they’ve started to make it again!  We weren’t expecting that!  Anyway, I was only on set for a day when I was there, and yes of course, it was great to be back.  Like it was yesterday really.  It’s very special that it holds such a huge place in the hearts of the many people.  You don’t get to be part of a phenomenon that often, so I feel very lucky that I was able to be part of that show at that time.

“Ten Good Reasons’ album sold millions of copies in 1989.  Do you look back on this decade fondly? What was good about it as far as you’re concerned.  

 Yes, it was the biggest selling album of 1989 I think!  How fantastic is that?  The 80s were indescribable for me.  I auditioned for Neighbours for a different part and got it, but I was still at school at the time.  My dad wanted me to stay on at school and finish my exams before going out into the world.  I was very tempted but decided he was right.  Then I was called back to audition for the part of Scott Robinson.  It was at a time when they were changing the cast and a few roles were suddenly available for an addition of some younger cast members.  You probably know the rest of the story here.  Neighbours was big in Australia, but in the UK it was massive.  Just massive.  At one point 23 million people were watching in the UK, that was more than the population of Australia at that moment!  Being invited over to the UK to record Especially For You kick started my recording career, something I could have only dreamed of.  Next thing you know I was on Top of the Pops with a Number One record.  It was the most incredible time, as I said before, I was so lucky to absolutely in the right place at the right time.

You seem to never stop working! Do you enjoy working so hard? 

I think all performers prefer to be working than not, that’s not just me!  But yes, I am very lucky, I love to keep busy and long may that continue!

TV programmes such as ‘Dancing on Ice’, I’m a Celeb and Strictly Come Dancing and ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ – which one was your favourite and why?  

They were all different experiences and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of all of those shows for various reasons, but if I had to choose, Who Do You Think You Are was just a great adventure.  To come back to Australia and find out that even though my dad had been a £10 Pom back in the day and had emigrated to Australia from England, my family DID originate in Australia.  I was really spoilt to have all those clever people suss out my family history for me!  Fantastic.

Are you looking forward to the 50^th Anniversary Production of the Rocky Horror Show in Sydney?  

I was in Sydney in Jan/Feb/Mar to play Frank N Furter in the 50^th Anniversary production of Rocky Horror Show.  

I love that show, it’s been part of my life for a long time, and Frank is a dream of a character to play for an actor.  Being back in Sydney for an Australian summer, being close to my family over there, on the same time zone, it was just a brilliant 3 months

What are you looking forward to about playing at Chepstow Castle?  

I don’t remember playing a castle yet!  I did play at a Palace during Platinum Jubliee, but not a castle!  Can’t wait!

What can fans expect from the show?  

The audience can expect a great live show, with a load of hits that they’ll be familiar with.  My band are great, you’ll love them too.

Might this be the oldest venue you’ve ever played?  

Ha!  Yes, I think you may be right here!