Name: Jason Donovan

Occupation: Recording artist, actor

Age: 38

Supporters: partner Angela and children Jemma 6, and Zac 5

Fears and Phobias: Desperate celebrities, saying something he shouldn’t

Skills: cooking, cleaning, building

Despite an established theatrical career and huge success in the late eighties as a singer, Jason Donovon is best loved and remembered for his role as Scott Robinson in Aussie soap Neighbours, where he enjoyed both an on and off screen romance with co-star Kylie Minogue.

Relaxed, down to earth and with a wicked sense of humour, Jason isn’t worried about critters in the jungle.

“The creepy-crawlies don’t really bother me. What I’m scared of is out of control celebrities, desperate people.�

Realising that with a typical Australian directness, he can sometimes be too honest, Jason is preparing for life in camp.

“To prepare, I’ve been running and swimming a lot. I’ve also cut back on alcohol. In fact I’ve stopped drinking alcohol completely. I’m not sure if I’ll drink there – I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it – I don’t want to be susceptible to say things I shouldn’t say with cameras rolling 24/7! But hey, there’s not a lot in my package that hasn’t been sold before so bring it on.�

Not going in with a game plan, Jason says that he’s just going to be himself and has a likeable take it or leave it attitude that comes from over twenty years in the business.

“People think they know me – there is an age 25 and over group who would probably be aware of me and feel they know me because at one point I was a household name but I would say I just want my own character to come across, my own identity - whatever that is!

“This is all cast like a film, the only difference is its 24 hours, 7 days a week and I think you’ve just got to be yourself. I’m a pretty honest person - people will definitely see that about me.�

Jason’s biggest concern is boredom in camp but he’s already considered a way to alleviate this.

“Are we really just sat round in camp the whole time?� he asks desperately.

“I think the boredom is going to be the one thing that I’m going to struggle with. Collecting wood, boiling the kettle - is that all there is to do? Big f**king deal. I’ve decided that I’m going to be practical – I’m looking towards constructing a thatched cottage in there – doing a bit of building work in the jungle.

With a talent for cooking, Jason should endear himself to the others, but his need for cleanliness may not.

“I don’t like laziness in people so I think there needs to be some form of leadership in there – I’m not putting myself forward for that but a democracy needs some form of leadership and you need to have some kind of focus with cooking for example. I tend not to cook but I do have a natural talent for it. But if you don’t have someone controlling it all in there, it will be a total mess.

“I’m a little pedantic about cleanliness – I like my bed at home to be extremely clean, all the cushions tucked in neatly, slightly like a hotel in fact.�

When he returns from the jungle, Jason says that he is considering returning to his singing career.

“I’m definitely not saying I’m going to storm the charts or anything but this is an opportunity for me. There are a few music things in the pipeline for me at the moment but we’ll see.�

Courtesy Of ITV