Neighbours legend Jason Donovan is one busy man – known for his many acting roles on screen and stage, while having a large family too.
He’s one of the 12 famous faces taking part in the 2021 series of Dancing on Ice, and is partnered with pro skater Alexandra Schauman.
The 52-year-old will have plenty of support on the show from his family – though perhaps not his mother – to help him skate each week.
And it turns out his family is incredibly interesting, and Dancing on Ice viewers might even recognise some of them.
Here, Daily Star takes a look at Jason Donovan’s family life.
Famous family
Jason’s father is Terence Donovan, who played Doug Willis on Neighbours for 26 years (Image: Getty Images)
Jason is a huge star in his own right thanks to his time on Neighbours, reality shows in the UK and, of course, his many appearances in stage productions.
But a number of his family members have also had their time in front of the cameras – and on Neighbours, no less.
A year after Jason left the show as Scott Robinson as 1989, his dad Terence Donovan, 78, joined as Doug Willis.
Jason’s half-sister Stephanie McIntosh played Sky Mangel on Neighbours (Image: Getty Images)
His stint was much longer, as he played Doug for 26 years until 2016 and even starred in the 2015 spin-off series Neighbours: Hey Piper.
Terence’s character died outside Lassiter’s Hotel, and the actor admitted he wasn’t happy about the way his exit was written.
“Look, it’s not the way I’d have liked to do it from the point of view of coming out of the series,” he said.
“But, the producers did it a different way and it’s their story and their show.”
Jason’s daughter Jemma Donovan joined Neighbours as Harlow Robinson in 2019 (Image: Internet Unknown)
Jason’s half-sister Stephanie McIntosh, 35, is no stranger to Neighbours fans either, as she has played Sky Mangel on and off since 2003.
She first joined in 2003 before laving in 2007, though returned in 2015 and also last year.
Sky’s most recent appearance was last year, when she returned as a police detective looking into Finn Kelly’s death.
It seems acting runs in Jason’s blood though, as his daughter Jemma Donovan, 20, landed a Neighbours role in 2019.
She got the role of Harlow Robinson and has been featured in storylines which saw her develop a feud with Roxy Willis, and a romance with Hendrix Greyson.
Sister’s ITV links
Jason Donovan was on I’m A Celeb in 2006 (Image: ITV)
Jason is known in the UK for his reality television stints just as much as his acting, and it appears it’s been something for his family to enjoy too.
That’s because his sister actually married one of the producers from the 2006 series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! on which Jason appeared.
Jason came third in the show, being beaten by Matt Willis who won, and Myleene Klass who was in at second.
But it’s clear Jason’s sister was the real winner of the show, as Jason revealed she’d married the producer.
He said on Lorraine last year: “The producer for I’m A Celebrity for me in 2006 went on to marry my sister in Australia. It’s all very weird and very connected.”
Estranged mother
Jason’s mother Sue McIntosh spoke of their estrangement in 2011 (Image: Getty Images)
Jason’s mum is Australian actress and presenter Sue McIntosh, however she revealed in 2011 that she was estranged from him.
She claims that the rift started after his book – Between The Lines: My Story Uncut – was released.
That was further heightened when she discovered he was having his third child on the radio, rather than directly from him.
She told Woman’s Day magazine: “Jason and I haven’t spoken for three years – not since his visit to Australia in 2007 to publicise his autobiography. Nor was I invited to his wedding.”
Sue had three daughter – including Stephanie McIntosh – after her married to Terrence Donovan (Image: Getty Images)
In his book, Jason spoke of his mum Sue and dad Terence splitting up, saying that as a child he thought she was abandoning him rather than her marriage.
He also wrote: “I couldn’t understand why she had left… to this day I am none the wiser.”
But Sue said: “Jason has taken the dollars and had a good crack at people he does love deep down.
“I just hope in later years he finds it’s all been worthwhile.”
Jason’s relationship with his mother was brought up on his episode of BBC show Who Do You Think You Are too.
He explained he knew “very little” about his mum’s background, describing her life as a “blank canvas” to him.
The voiceover said that their relationship was “distant” and that they hadn’t spoken for “a number of years”.
Sadly, it seems their rift continues, as there has been no word of their relationship since 2011.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
