Jason Donovan Returns to His Roots: Emmerdale Cameo Sparks New Career Hopes
A Star Walks into the Woolpack
Jason Donovan is heading back to his soap opera origins — and this time, it’s not Ramsay Street, but the Yorkshire Dales. The Neighbours icon, now 57, will appear in a special Christmas episode of Emmerdale, performing his hit song “Too Many Broken Hearts” in the middle of the iconic Woolpack pub. And while fans are already buzzing, Donovan himself says this might just be the beginning of a new chapter.
The Australian star, who made his name playing Scott Robinson in over 400 episodes of Neighbours, is returning to the genre that launched him — and he’s loving it. “There’s a character called Lydia who’s a big Jason Donovan fan,” he teased, “and I end up singing at the Woolpack. It was a great day filming.”
More Than a Cameo
Donovan’s appearance isn’t just fan service — it’s an emotional moment woven into the holiday storyline. Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick) has always adored Jason, and the surprise performance is a gift she never expected. Behind the scenes, it was a full-circle moment for Jason too.
In his interview with HELLO! magazine, Donovan reflected: “I feel I’ve got a little bit more to give, artistically.” That hunger to reconnect with drama and the audience who grew up watching him is driving his desire to take on more TV work. The spark from Emmerdale seems to have reignited something deeper.
Producer Laura Shaw confirmed that Donovan’s cameo created a “real buzz” on set. “Not only is Lydia Dingle a big fan of his, but the whole Emmerdale family was thrilled,” she shared. “I hope the viewers enjoy his appearance as much as we did.”
Family First, Fame Second
While fans may be eager for Jason to take on more drama roles, he remains grounded. Married to Angela Malloch since 2008 — whom he met during The Rocky Horror Show — Donovan is a proud father of three. Daughter Jemma is already following in his footsteps as an actress, while son Zac works as a TV producer.
Despite his showbiz background, Jason prioritizes balance: “Work is important, but so is time to enjoy life, watch the sunlight, spend time with people.” Even as he contemplates more screen time, he admits he hasn’t quite “cracked” parenthood yet. “It’s a long-distance run, not a sprint.”