Jason Donovan "cried" when he heard his daughter had been cast in 'Neighbours'.

Jason Donovan

Jason Donovan

The 51-year-old star - who rose to fame playing Scott Robinson on the soap for three years until his exit in 1989 - is delighted to see his daughter Jemma Donovan, 19, playing Harlow Robinson after making her first appearance last summer.

He told The Australian Women's Weekly magazine: "I remember getting the phone call from my agent saying, 'I've got some news', and I cried.

"It just made me so happy that she has an opportunity, that there is a foundation, and a good reason for it. 'Neighbours' is the perfect home for Jemma."

While Jason is "very proud" of his daughter - and she's delighted to continue his soap legacy - Jemma is keen to earn her own plaudits rather than relying on the Donovan name.

She said: "I love that people associate us together, but I want to show people I'm not just on 'Neighbours' for my last name.

"I need to prove to people that I can do this. That was also great because it gave me a lot of drive."

Meanwhile, Jason - who was involved in a famous storyline when he married Charlene Mitchell, played by Kylie Minogue - previously insisted a soap comeback isn't really on the cards.

Scott and Charlene's wedding, which aired in the UK in 1988, was watched by 20 million viewers - and he thinks the "publicity" would overshadow the story.

He explained: "It doesn't feel like something I need to do. I have absolute respect for the show and what it's given me, but the problem with going back would be that the publicity becomes bigger than the moment."


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