Australian TV and pop legend Jason Donovan has delivered a starkly honest account of his past struggles, admitting that rampant drug use during the peak of his fame nearly destroyed everything he had built.
The Shocking Scale of 1990s Excess
Speaking with brutal candour on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, the 57-year-old former Neighbours star reflected on a dark period defined by extreme excess. Donovan revealed that at the height of his celebrity, juggling chart success and acting roles, he would embark on cocaine binges that could last for up to six days.
"Sure, there were days, weekends that would begin on Thursday and sometimes not end until the following Tuesday or whatever," he explained. Host Jamie Laing pressed him on a past headline-grabbing admission, recalling Donovan once stated he was consuming three grams of cocaine a day.
The Vicious Cycle and the 'Little Demon'
Donovan was keen to clarify the pattern of his use, describing it as destructive binges rather than a constant dependency. He insisted he never fully stopped working, believing his professional discipline allowed him to function longer than he should have. "I just did, I could just do that," he admitted. "I'm quite disciplined, I'm a bit of an all-or-nothing kind of guy."
He described a torturous cycle where healthy habits would offer a glimpse of a better life, only for addiction to pull him back. "You walk out, and you feel great, and you go, 'see Jason, that's what you can feel like if you don't get back on it again.' Now you feel great for two days, and then that little demon in your head would come along."
The actor also detailed the severe mental toll, stating, "The paranoia, particularly with cocaine, starts to set in, 24 hours in, you think the MI5 are outside your window."
The Catalysts for Change: Love, Family and a New Start
Donovan credits a combination of timing, maturity, and love for his eventual recovery. The pivotal moment came when he met his wife, Angela Malloch, a stage manager on one of his musicals, in 1998. Their relationship became serious quickly, and she presented him with a clear ultimatum: the party lifestyle had to end.
"The catalyst of change was meeting my wife," Donovan said. "She didn't change me, but that time changed me. The birth of Jemma, the realisation that I could get out now." The couple married in 2008 and are parents to three children: Jemma, Zac, and Molly.
Donovan has now been clean for over 20 years. He expressed gratitude for recognising the warning signs in time, noting he was still in his thirties with "enough time for the body to repair."
A Career Renaissance and Looking Forward
Today, Donovan's life is firmly focused on the future. He is enjoying a career renaissance centred on live performance. He recently completed a 33-date tour called 'Doin' Fine' and has announced a 14-date follow-up, 'Doin' Fine Encore', for the coming year.
"I really believe comprehensively that this show is my best show," he said of the personal performance. He also has a Christmas appearance in Emmerdale and more theatre work planned, with a major tour slated for 2026.
Reflecting on his enduring appeal, Donovan acknowledged the nostalgia tied to his music and soap legacy but remains grounded. "I hope I deliver authenticity, good value for money and a good night out and escapism," he said.
