JASON DONOVAN on Dr*gs, Partying in the 90s & Why Having His Daughter Changed His Life

2025-12-17

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Jason Donovan is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. I grew up knowing him as the golden boy from Neighbours so, it was surprising to hear how desperate he was to shake off that teenage heart throb image.Fame hit him young and fast, and before he’d had chance to figure out who he was, Jason found himself trapped in a world that expected him to stay the same blue eyed, blonde haired version of himself that everyone had fallen in love with.In the ‘90s, he pushed back hard: three-day bender, a coc*ine overdose at LA’s Viper Room an...

Fame hit him young and fast, and before he’d had chance to figure out who he was, Jason found himself trapped in a world that expected him to stay the same blue eyed, blonde haired version of himself that everyone had fallen in love with.

In the ‘90s, he pushed back hard: three-day bender, a coc*ine overdose at LA’s Viper Room and using dr*gs to escape the squeaky-clean persona that followed him from Neighbours to the West End.

He doesn’t regret those years, but says they taught him a hell of a lot about himself.

We cover:

His need to shake off the teen heartthrob image and be “cool”
Bingeing on coc*ine at the height of his fame
How becoming a dad changed everything and led him to quit dr*gs
His relationship with Kylie and how it’s followed him throughout his career
What it’s like to age in the public eye

This conversation is a reminder that even the brightest stars carry shadows and that facing them can be the most powerful comeback of all.

Jason Donovan is Great Company.

This episode contains sensitive topic discussions including substance abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by anything in this episode and need support, please see the suggested helpline and website links below.

Coc*ine Anonymous UK

0800 612 0225

helpline@cauk.org.uk

Frank

talktofrank.com

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THE CREDITS

Executive Producers: Ewan Newbigging-Lister & Jemima Rathbone

Producer: Helen Burke