People

If you avidly watched Neighbours in the 80s then the name Jason Donovan probably fills you with memories of blond mullets, a certain soap wedding to Kylie Minogue and the phrase "rack off".

Younger fans may have watched our Jase last year on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, where he came third and showed himself to be one of the most friendly and level-headed celebrities in the camp.

No matter at what age, Jason Donovan is a bit of a hero. And now he's back in the limelight to resurrect his music career with new single Share My World.

BBC Radio Berkshire's Phil Kennedy caught up with the actor and singer on Monday 25 June.

Listen to the full interview here or read excerpts from the interview below.

It is amazing how there you are, 2007, and someone said to me: Jason Donovan? He's cool! How do you feel about being cool again?

"Erm, well I don't know about the word cool, it's a funny sort of thing - it doesn't mean a hell of a lot to me. I spent a lot of time in the 90s trying to be cool, it didn't get me anywhere. But certainly in the last six to eight months, I guess primarily because of I'm A Celeb, I have had sort of a bigger exposure than I have had recently, which was nice."

What about the jungle. What were the things that disturbed you about the jungle or was there nothing? Was it actually a lot easier than expected?

"Well let's put this in perspective, there are people out there starving in the world.

"We're in a film set in Queensland - it's beautiful weather, we're protected by people. Yes you get your rice and your vegetables but you're getting something to eat each day and you're getting paid to do it and the benefits of that can be - as long as the editing process works for you - extremely rewarding.

Loving the 80s: Jason Donovan

"So I took it for what it was rather than for what it could be."

Going back to the 80s when we first saw you - what was it about Neighbours that really struck a chord with the UK?

"Neighbours is something that I still talk about quite often in my life, I don't think there will be a day going by that I don't. I can think of worse things to be associated with to be honest with you!

"It changed my life and it's not often you get a chemistry of people that work together like that.

"Certainly now you'll never get 25 million people watching a television show. Those audience figures just don't happen anymore.

"I was just a young boy learning as I went along. I think there was a lot of luck but I managed to convert that luck into some form of currency, and I'm still around. You can't get rid of me yet!"

What about Lee Mead as Joseph? I saw you there at the final.

"I think Any Dream Will Do was a very fun show. I think the BBC got it right. It was great entertainment. It's very difficult to perform each week and get eliminated.

Loving the 80s even more: Jason Donovan

Was it a bit weird walking out on stage in a loin cloth for the first time?

"Not really. I have to say I looked at myself in the mirror in those days and I thought I looked pretty good in a loincloth. It was the white fluffy socks and that technicoloured coat that started to worry me."

You've still got the core fans? Do they still stalk Jason?

"Not really, my fans are sort of a hell of a lot older and probably more mature but they are a bunch of nutters and that's why I like them."

And you've got a new album out.

"Yeah I've got a new single out, that's the starting point, it's a song called Share My World which is available on a download.

"It's a great song, very upbeat and very radio friendly. I guess over the last two years I've put some music together and I hadn't until recently been able to get some form of currency because of I'm A Celeb.

"Having played recently on a tour I thought I needed to sort of begin the new story - there's only so many times you can keep playing old material.

What are you up to in the next few months?

"There's a bit of acting work in the pipeline but it hasn't been finely negotiated but keep your eyes out for that.

"I'm doing an autobiography which will be available in late October, so that'll be interesting to look at your life in a chronological sort of way.

"So Phil it's busy mate, and that's the way I like it."