Jason Donovan is excited to be back in Southampton once again for a week-long stint as The Pharoah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Mayflower Theatre, a job he describes as 'the golden ticket'. 

It's a near sell out and the only chance to see him in the show in which he made his name in musical theatre, which is currently on a UK tour. 

Arriving in the city in the sunshine yesterday, Jason admits he couldn't resist a return to the stage in Joseph. 

(Image: Tristram Kenton) READ MORE: 50 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs coming to Southampton this summer

"It's familiar territory for me," he said. "It's nice to be back here on a lovely day.

"The show is part of my history in many ways so when I was asked if I'd be interested in doing just a week in it in Southampton, I was very happy.

"I did it here a few years back and it's great in this big brilliant theatre. It's the only week of the whole tour I'm doing, so it's a special one for me.

"It's a great theatre and it's a great part for me. It makes sense for me, it's sort of like the golden ticket.

"I've been here on most of my tours, so I'm excited to be back."

(Image: ©Tristram Kenton) First finding fame in the Australian soap Neighbours, Jason sold more than three million records in the UK during his 90s pop career before switching to musical theatre, visiting Southampton dozens of times on solo tours and in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

It's back to Hampshire again next year for the encore of his Doin' Fine tour on March 5 at Fareham Live, the venue he opened last year as Frank n Furter in The Rocky Horror Show.

Apart from that, Jason is slowing down somewhat, just back from a trip to Australia to see family followed by a night out at the Royal Albert Hall watching his soap star daughter Jemma as a backing singer for Gary Barlow. 

He added: "I want to work smart, not hard in my life a little bit. I think it's important to be spending time with my family now."

Limited tickets are available for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which runs until Saturday. Visit mayflower.org.uk or call 023 8071 1811.