He's been a soap star, a chart-topping pop singer, a leading light of musical theatre and even a Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Now Jason Donovan is adding another string to his bow as a talent-show judge on ITV1’s Superstar. The series, which begins on Saturday, July 7, follows Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for an actor to play the lead in a new touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Jason, who appeared in Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, will team up with Mel C to help whittle down the contestants, before joining Dawn French and the composer on the judging panel for a series of live elimination rounds. We caught up with him to find out more... I will be an honest judge... If I think the contestants are good, I will give positive feedback, but if I don’t, I will tell them so. As a performer, I understand what it takes to get up on stage and go for it. Jesus Christ Superstar is timeless... Andrew’s music and Tim Rice’s lyrics created an iconic rock opera that was part of the soundtrack to a lot of people’s lives and still resonates today. When I tell people I am involved, they go, 'Wow, I love that show'. Looking for Jesus is hard... It is a huge role. You are on stage all the time, and some of the notes you have to hit are really high. The show is going on an arena tour, so the star needs the charisma to play to a massive audience. This is democracy at work... The public vote in the live finals, and having their input has to be a good thing because ultimately they will be the people who go and buy the tickets. Andrew is one of the great composers of our time... History will remember him well. He has got it all, but he continually goes out searching for new talent, ideas and songs rather than just retiring to count his money. I still have ambitions... There are stage shows I would like to do, and I would love to do more TV acting or appear in a great film. Also I would love to write a hit song. Kylie and I are excited about singing together again next week... We will duet at Wednesday’s Hit Factory Live concert in Hyde Park on Wednesday, July 11. It is going to be a great challenge, and a sentimental and emotional day for us. I feel like an honorary Brit... I am very lucky to have found a place in Britain, and the people here have been very kind to me. I do have a British passport, because my father was born in England. Watching the Jubilee from Australia and not being able to be there was quite tough.
