Hot on the heels of his former girlfriend, co-star and duet partner Kylie Minogue’s 50th birthday, ex-Neighbours star Jason Donovan, who attended Kylie’s recent star-studded birthday bash, himself reaches a half-century today.
Although his career isn’t as high profile as his superstar ex’s, the one-time teen heartthrob still commands a devoted following, selling out many of the dates on his recent Amazing Midlife Crisis tour of the UK.
I’m overwhelmed with all the incredible gifts and cards that I’ve received in anticipation of my big birthday next week. To all my fans … you are simply awesome. Im incredibly lucky. Your support means so much and I look forward to the years ahead. Sending all my love ❤️
— Jason Donovan (@JDonOfficial) May 24, 2018
To mark the occasion of Jason Donovan’s 50th birthday, join us as we take a step back in time (sorry!) and revisit some of the key moments of his five decades to date.
His first TV role
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Starting as he meant to go on, he appeared alongside Minogue in an episode of Skyways. They played brother and sister.
The punch heard around Australia
This scene—Kylie’s first in Neighbours—never gets old.
The wedding watched around Australia… and the UK
Millions of Neighbours fans tuned in to see Scott and Charlene tie the knot.
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Jason Donovan: pop star
Mullet? Tick. Stock Aitken Waterman pop gem? Tick. Daggy dancing? Tick.
“Especially For You”
Peak Jason and Kylie.
That time his guitar wasn’t plugged in
Not that there was that much guitar in “Too Many Broken Hearts” to begin with…
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Go, go, go Joseph
Goodbye TV, hello musical theatre.
Legal strife
He won his court case against The Face but suffered a backlash as a result. Not really a highlight, we concede.
Everybody loves a comeback
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In 2003, he was back on TV in ABC’s MDA.
Like a Virgin
Remember this mobile phone marketing campaign?
He’s Going Nuts… Get Him Out of Here!
Jason went a bit loco during the British version of I’m A Celeb in 2006.
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Jason gets the Piers Morgan treatment
In 2012, this candid TV interview made headlines.
The big reunion
Everyone: “And now we’re back together, together…”
Happy Birthday, Jason!
In this week’s episode of WHO magazine’s TV podcast, Binge List, Matthew Denby, Clare Rigden and Gavin Scott discuss and debate true-crime drama American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, ABC series Mystery Road and Netflix food doco The Magic Pill. Plus, we ask To Binge Or Not To Binge The Good Fight and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and delve into Hidden Gem Dead Boss. Listen below, or on iTunes: http://po.st/syE3JF or OMNY: http://po.st/Bg4FlU
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After cutting his teeth on teen titles Smash Hits and TV Hits (remember them?) in the 2000s, Gavin moved into weekly magazines, working for TV Week for many years and continuing to contribute to that title to this day, and writing for Who, Woman’s Day, New Idea and OK over the past decade or so. He’s also worked for digital outlets, writing and editing for SBS, Pedestrian and Who.com.au, and has hosted and produced TV and music podcasts. Entertainment in all its forms has been Gavin’s focus, whether that be interviewing the latest eliminated contestant from Survivor; reviewing the newest films, TV series and albums; writing opinion pieces about streaming platforms and their offerings; or talking to Australian pop stars past and present about their musical journey. As a long-time freelancer, Gavin goes where the work takes him, with one hand on the remote and the other scrolling through his phone for entertainment updates.
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