TV critic slams Jason's acting - Jan 9 2008
While the rest of the nation is getting excited about new ITV dramas Echo Beach and Moving Wallpaper, one TV critic is less than enamoured by the former and its leading man Jason Donovan.

Gareth McLean, the Guardian's TV writer, has been less than kind about the Echo Beach star's acting abilities and his chemistry with his leading lady.

"In Moving Wallpaper they make a big joke of the ITV demographic and how they really like Jason Donovan and Martine McCutcheon and that's why they appear in Echo Beach," he said.

"I think Jason Donovan can't act which is a bit of a problem, Martine McCutheon's fine - there's not chemistry between them. Hugo Speer is in it, he's a good actor but it just all feels a bit lacklustre."

Gareth is more positive about the success of Moving Wallpaper, however.

He said: "I think Moving Wallpaper works as a show in itself because television has always been interested in the workings of television. Last year, we had The Life And Times Of Vivian Vyle, 30 Rock from America, Extras - all these shows work. But, Echo Beach on its own as a soap doesn't really work.

"I mean, in Moving Wallpaper the artifice of Echo Beach is highlighted all the way through and the cynicism with which it's put together is the mean point of Moving Wallpaper so when Echo Beach comes up it's difficult to care about these characters because we know how cynically it's been put together."

Jason’s kids ’too young’ for Echo Beach - Jan 9 2008
Jason Donovan has admitted he doesn’t know whether he will let his children watch his new show Echo Beach, because they might not understand why he’s kissing another woman.

The I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star is set to play widowed carpenter and Martine McCutcheon’s character’s love interest Daniel in the new soap and its companion drama Moving Wallpaper, which start on ITV1 on Thursday.

Jason, 39, who has a six and a seven-year-old with long-term partner Angela Malloch, said: "My kids go to bed at 8, whether they’ll understand their father kissing someone else on screen, I don’t know - is that the right thing to do to show them? I don’t know."

He added: "I’m pretty open with the kids, I believe in that but they’re still young. Honesty’s wonderful, but there’s a big contrast between me flying a car around the Palladium and some guy standing there holding his nuts."

The former Neighbours star landed the role after gaining massive popularity on ITV1’s reality show I’m A Celebrity... in 2006.

Jason: It’s very me - Jan 5 2008
Jason Donovan has apparently revealed that he feels totally at home in his new role in ITV drama Echo Beach.

The actor told the Daily Record: "It’s the beach, it’s me, it’s surfing, it’s blonde hair and blue eyes. It’s very me.

"I’m nearly 40. I look back with fond memories. There’s not a day when I can escape those references to Neighbours or Kylie but why would I want to? I’m proud of all that. Life’s short, f****** enjoy it. I think you should never start taking yourself too seriously."

The Aussie star - who has a long term partner and two children - also insisted he is on good terms with Kylie.

"It’s interesting, the whole Kylie argument," he added. "I’ve seen various reports about Kylie being furious with me for various things and of some sort of rift between us. But she invited me on her TV show a few weeks ago.