Jason Donovan has announced the death of his father, Terence Donovan, who co-starred with him on the Australian soap opera Neighbours. The 58-year-old singer and actor shared the news on social media, revealing that his father died ‘peacefully’ in Melbourne on Saturday at the age of 90.
Statement from Jason Donovan
‘It is with great sadness but also a sense of celebration of a long, full life that myself and my brother Paul announce our father Terence died peacefully last night here in Melbourne,’ Jason wrote. ‘Obviously this is an extremely emotional time and we ask you to respect our privacy. We want to pay tribute to all the wonderful staff at Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne who looked after him in his final days.’
Jason described his father as a ‘huge character’, his ‘best friend’, and his ‘world’. He added: ‘We will desperately miss him but we take comfort knowing we were all here by his side in his final days. Knowing that he lived life to the max. Knowing that in life it’s either a daring adventure… or nothing at all! How lucky are we to have a dad like you.’
Terence Donovan's career and life
Born in London, Terence moved to Australia with his parents at age 14. He worked as a truck driver and house painter before pursuing acting. In 1965, he married TV presenter Sue McIntosh, and they welcomed son Jason three years later. The couple divorced after seven years, and Terence married second wife Marlene Saunders in 1981.
Terence had prominent roles in Australian police dramas in the 1970s and 1980s, playing Detective Mick Peters in Division 4 and Detective Senior Sergeant Vic Cameron in Cop Shop. In 1990, he had a six-week guest role on Home and Away as the second actor to play Al Simpson. That same year, he joined Neighbours as Doug Willis, with his on-screen family written out in 1994. He reprised the role in 2016, culminating in his character’s death, which he later said was not the way he wanted Doug to leave. In 2022, Terence made another cameo alongside Jason in the then-finale of Neighbours, also appearing with granddaughter Jemma Donovan, 26, who played Harlow Robinson from 2019 to 2022.
Jason famously played Scott Robinson on Neighbours from 1986 to 1989, during which time he was one half of the supercouple Scott and Charlene, alongside Kylie Minogue.
Terence's other TV credits include Prisoner, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, and The Flying Doctors. His film appearances included Breaker Morant (1980) and The Man from Snowy River (1982).
Tributes and legacy
Following the announcement, tributes flooded Jason’s Instagram comments. Jason praised his father’s impact on the industry, noting his campaign work that led to an obligation for commercial television broadcasters to air Australian stories. ‘Without people like my Dad we might not have seen the growth in the industry during the 70s and 80s and indirectly, Australian films such as The Man From Snowy River, Breaker Morant, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Priscilla, Muriel’s Wedding, Crocodile Dundee and Strictly Ballroom,’ Jason wrote.
Dannii Minogue commented: ‘I am so sorry you have lost your father. I love to hear about his achievements – this one here is incredible and it is lovely to how proud you are.’ Gaby Roslin added: ‘I am so sorry Jason for your loss. Sending you and your family my deepest sympathies and love and strength and he’ll always be on your heart.’ Fans also called Terence a ‘legend’ and ‘a trailblazer for Australian TV’.
