JASON Donovan's a busy man. We've had three different interview times organised as he tries to find a spare moment for a chat between performances of his latest show.
And when I do catch up with him he has just returned from the dentist after having a crown on his tooth.
But like the stalwart performer he is he will not let his current tooth-ache affect his performance during the gruelling tour of the camp hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which started in Manchester in February and will have already visited seven venues before it arrives in Torquay on Monday for a week-long run.
"As they say the show must go on," he laughs. "I do take my own personal health very seriously but the tooth is not going to stop me coming to Devon."
Priscilla is a show he loves to do. And on the current tour he is reviving his role as Tick and enjoying every minute.
Based on the smash-hit movie, Priscilla is the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three unlikely friends who hop aboard a battered old bus in search of love and friendship, and end up finding far more than they ever could have dreamed.
The musical originally opened in Australia in 2006, running for two years before transferring to London's West End, where Jason originated the role of Anthony 'Tick' Belrose, aka Mitzi Del Bra.
"It is such a great show to be part of," he said. "Performing eight shows a week is exhausting but I just love playing this part.
"The story is a wonderful celebration of Australia and of life. It is a very positive show and people get really excited about coming to see it. They always leave with a smile on their face.
"They love the camp aspect of the musical and it is pure escapism. People want something fun and new – and I think this is it."
The show features a dazzling array of outrageous costumes, and a hit parade of dance floor anthems including, It's Raining Men, Say A Little Prayer, Go West, Hot Stuff and Always on My Mind.
"The costumes are as big as the show itself," Jason laughs. "I spend as much time just getting into them as I do wearing them. And they are not the most comfortable to work in. I do get a lot of back-ache performing in the high-heels. But it is also great fun."
Recalling being first offered the role, Jason confesses that accepting it was a bit of a no-brainer.
"It wasn't a difficult decision because there are very few opportunities in life to create a role like this," he says. "I am lucky to be a part of it."
He also enjoys the fact that it is a million miles removed from the character that first introduced him to the British public some 27 years ago, Neighbours heart-throb Scott Robinson.
Now 44, he can look back on a colourful life. Neighbours led to a pop career and a string of hits – including Nothing Can Divide Us, Especially for You, with Kylie Minogue, and Too Many Broken Hearts.
By the 1990s he had turned his attention to musical theatre, accepting the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium in 1991.
Leads in The Sound of Music, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd all followed, and even a stint as Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show.
"Working in musical theatre has given me a wonderful life," he says. "Being on stage, going to lots of interesting places, acting and singing, I love it. But it is also very hard work."
And, although he is enjoying being on the road and the camaraderie of the company, he is missing his three children Gemma, Zach and Molly.
"It's difficult to be away from my family. I have a two-year-old, which makes it even harder to leave," he admits.
"They come and watch when they are able and my wife is really supportive. She was in stage management when we met so she understands the business.
"And hey – it pays the bills. It is called life. We all have to work.
"I do not know many performers who do not have to travel for work to move their career forward. It is what we do. It is all a matter of finding a balance."
As well as appearing on stage and recording music, Jason also finds time to present a radio show and has appeared in reality TV shows including I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! More recently he was on our screens on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, where he came third. He has little time to chill out, but cherishes every minute he can.
"The best form of relaxation is to get out of the buzz and have a glass of wine in the summer, potter around and mow the lawn. Most importantly, it's wonderful not have a timetable," he said.
There's no doubt about it, he's been at the top of his game both in the music charts and in musical theatre, but Jason still has ambitions.
"I think the best is yet to come from me, there are a few energetic years left in me yet," he laughed. "The most exciting time, I'm not going to lie, was being a pop star in the late 1980s. It was a crazy time. Now I just enjoy working.
"In our business there's always a better story to be told and I would like to do more straight TV and film acting. I'd love to spend more time with my family too, that's what matters to me. You can become bogged down with moving forward and I think we have to enjoy the now."
Having lived in the UK for many years, he's been taken on as an adopted Brit.
"Australia will always have a place in my heart and I love to go back on holiday, but I love being in England as that's where my family are," he said. "And I get to see a lot of lovely parts of the country when I am on tour. I can't wait to come to Torbay as it is by the beach, which I love. I just hope we get some sunshine."
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, from April 29 until May 4. For ticket details call 0844 871 3023 or go to www.atgtickets.com/torquay
