JASON Donovan seemed uncharacteristically serious when he rang to discuss his new tour.
“It's a great show,” he said.
“It's slightly autobiographical and you'll get to hear some new songs that I've written myself and am really proud of.
"I think if you come to see the show you'll get a really good idea of who I am and what direction I'm moving in.”
Thankfully, it doesn't take long for him to warm-up into the friendly Aussie we all know and love.
“Of course, I'll be doing some of the old stuff too,” he gushed.
“It wouldn't be a Jason Donovan show without having the odd ’80s moment.
"There's bits you can sing along to. It's the perfect thing for Christmas nostalgia.”
We all know the story, but to recap, Donovan made his name in Australian soap Neighbours; graduated to pop star under the guidance of Stock, Aitken, and Waterman; sold millions of records in the late ’80s and early '90s and was all set for superstardom when it all seemed to go wrong.
After successfully suing The Face magazine in 1993 over an article suggesting he was gay, Donovan’s popularity waned.
He got involved in drugs and he slipped off the public radar.
Today, aged 40, Donovan is back in the game, having worked hard over the last few years to get his life back on track.
Earlier this month he released an album of '50s and ’60s pop songs, entitled Let It Be Me.
“I wouldn’t say I'm getting offers left, right and centre and contracts from Hollywood dropping through the door nowadays,” he said.
“But I don't know many artists who do. I'm in a position where I'm comfortable enough to be able to say no if I don't really want to do something, but I love to work.
"I love to keep busy. There's a reasonable fan base out there and they seem to be very accepting of me.
"They want to see me do well. I love the UK for that reason and I've found my home here.”
A real family man, the father-of-two brightens immediately when talking about his children.
“My career is important to me but my family is everything. My wife and children are my life,” he said.
“Being a dad did change me. It helped me understand my own life, my own parents and the whole world around me.
"I love my children and I actually feel sorry for people who don't have children.
“We don't have plans for a third but I'd never say never. For now two is perfect, especially for travelling.”
At seven and eight, Donovan's children are at an age where they are getting into their daddy's music.
“I love having them around at gigs,” he said.
“The good thing about my early music is that it's designed to appeal to a range of people.
"A song like Any Dream Will Do is an anthem for young people so it fits their age range perfectly.”
Indeed, Donovan's early music struck a chord with many.
“I think there's a lot of sentimentality around my early stuff," he said.
“Like many people from the Neighbours era, I went into Stock, Aitken and Waterman and what we were doing in the '80s somehow captured the imagination of the public.
"It was the soundtrack to a lot of people's lives and I don't think they'll forget that.”
Doesn't he get bored singing the same old songs over and over?
“Elton John goes out there and sings Saturday Night's Alright and Your Song over and over.
"I think if you look at any of the great artists they all do.
“I'm always constantly looking for ways of re-inventing myself and of course no-one wants to be remembered for two or three songs from 1989 but my career is multi-faceted.
"There's more to come from me yet.”
l See Jason Donovan at Preston Guild Hall on Saturday, December 6. For tickets call 01772 258858.
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