Jason Donovan is set to make a surprise appearance in Emmerdale.
The Australian actor and singer, 56, will play himself in an upcoming episode of the ITV soap, performing one of his hits in the Woolpack to a packed crowd, much to the delight of Lydia Dingle (Karen Blick), who turns out to be one of his biggest fans.
Donovan said: “I’m incredibly excited to have been asked to make a cameo appearance in Emmerdale as myself. Filming was great fun and all of the cast and crew were extremely welcoming. Singing in the Woolpack set was definitely an experience I won’t forget.”
Producer Laura Shaw added: “We were delighted that Jason agreed to join us for this episode. Not only is Lydia Dingle a big fan of his, there was a real buzz on set that day.”
The cameo marks another nostalgic TV moment for Donovan, who first found fame as teenager Scott Robinson in Neighbours in the mid-1980s. He left the soap in 1989, the same year his chart career took off with hits including Too Many Broken Hearts and his duet Especially For You with former co-star Kylie Minogue.
He later reprised the role of Scott in 2022 when Neighbours was axed by Channel 5 in the UK, returning for the emotional finale alongside Minogue. The show was revived soon after by Amazon and returned to screens in September 2023, though earlier this year the streamer announced it would end once again in December 2025.
Viewers are unlikely to see Donovan back on Ramsay Street this time around, however. He previously said he was “not entirely surprised” when Neighbours was revived but admitted: “The show for me is done.”
Away from soaps, Donovan has recently been back in fishnets and heels reprising his role as Frank-N-Furter in Richard O’Brien’s cult musical The Rocky Horror Show, more than 25 years after first playing the part in the West End.
He will also return to the road in 2026 with his Doin’ Fine Encore UK tour, celebrating his 35-year career across music, theatre, film and TV, including a date at London’s Indigo at The O2 on March 19.
Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV1 and STV, or from 7am on ITVX and STV Player.
