Singer Jason Donovan reveals plan for Christmas at home

The singer and actor lives with his wife Angela in west London and in south Oxfordshire.

They have three children - Jemma, 23, Zac, 22 and Molly, 12.

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The former star of Australian soap Neighbours said he would be spending Christmas at his Oxfordshire home with his wife and daughters.

He told Waitrose magazine: "My son is in Australia, so he won't be with us this year for the first time.

"The kids open their presents before breakfast, which tends to be bacon sandwiches, but we try not to peak too early."

He added that the big feast would be served at about 2pm.

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"We always had light food at Christmas in Australia due to the heat," he added.

"Ang cooks a turkey and I do the cleaning up. I'm a bit of a cleaner-upper anyway."

Drinks to go with the food will include Champagne and red wine - "deep and thick and dark and the odd little glass of port."

The singer remembers getting his first real bike, a Malvern Star, for Christmas when he was 10 or 11, and gave his two older children a car to share when they were teenagers.

"That was a pretty special moment, to have that appear at the door," he said.

Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? - the original song, is one of Jason's favourite festive tracks. He sang of Band Aid II in 1989.

"The whole sentiment behind it, of helping others, is what Christmas is all about," he said. 

"It's a bit of magic and quite haunting and emotional."

The singer spent a lot of time in Australia this year.

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"It was great to get back to my tribe and spent time in the water in Sydney. Swimming in the ocean is where my heart is."

Jason is looking forward to 2025 as he will be going on tour for Doin' Fine 2025.

He said: "I did a world tour called Doin' Fine in 1990, when I was very happy, excited and enthusiastic, so I thought I'd try and capture a bit of that spirit.

"It's a 'greatest hits' show and the title says a lot about me as a person now. I love touring."

He added: "If I could spend Christmas here with my family in the country around the fire, then get on a plane and celebrate New Year with fireworks in Sydney in my board shorts, I'd be a happy man."

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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