West End return for Jason Donovan

"Chitty" is Jason's second production at the London Palladium

Jason Donovan has come a long way since he first came to the public's attention in the 1980s as Scott Robinson in the Australian soap Neighbours.

But his career has taken a number of twists and turns, the latest of which will see him return to the West End stage.

Jason will play Caractacus Potts on stage in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.

Jason Donovan will be live on Breakfast just after 0840 GMT

But Jason's appearance at the Palladium is only temporary; he's covering for Gary Wilmot who is taking a holiday and will only do 40 shows.

He joins an all star line up which includes Caroline Sheen as 'Truly Scrumptious', Victor Spinetti as 'Baron Bomburst', Sandra Dickinson as 'Baroness Bomburst'; plus Wayne Sleep as 'The Child Catcher' and Russ Abbot as 'Grandpa Potts'.

The show has been nominated for three Olivier awards, and won best musical at the Variety Club Awards in 2003.

The Palladium show is the first stage adaptation of Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Fleming - author of the James Bond books - created a classic with Chitty that was also made into a film, but the stage show has been well praised for its stunning special effects including the flying car.

Talents

Jason Donovan's career has straddled music, television and stage.

His international solo career has seen him sell 13 million records; in 1988 he released 'Especially for You' with Kylie Minogue then had a solo album 'Ten Good Reasons'.

Following the release of his second album in 1989, he became biggest selling artist in the UK and Europe and was also voted best male singer.

He went on to have three more number one singles including Any Dream Will Do from his run in London stage hit Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

1991 saw Jason star as Joseph, in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the London Palladium; this was followed by his role as Frank 'n' Furter in the Rocky Horror UK tour to mark the 25th anniversary of the film.

Jason's career faltered in the early nineties, and he found himself mostly singing in pubs and bars, but he's managed to get back on his feet.

Jason has been dividing his time between the UK and Australia with his young family. Jason currently stars in the medical series, MDA. Recently nominated for an Emmy Award, MDA has transformed Jason's career in Australia.

His return to the West End will be welcomed by his fans, and further establish Jason as a singing, stage and television all-rounder.

Jason's run in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang starts on Monday 12 January