Neighbours star Jason Donovan has reflected on the recent passing of his dad, Terence Donovan. Terence appeared on several Australian shows, including Home and Away in the role of Al Simpson and Neighbours as Doug Willis.
Taking to Instagram, Jason, known for the role of Scott Robinson on Neighbours, shared a carousel of images celebrating his father’s life. Terence passed away on 18 July, aged 90.
“Just over a week has passed since we lost Dad,” Jason wrote in the caption, describing his father as “such a character”.
“Larger than life. He was wild! Unique! Outspoken, Outrageous, Passionate, Focused, Flawed, Fit, Funny and F n difficult .. but always authentic. One of a kind !” the star continued.
“He was best friend my biggest critic, my supporter, my nightmare … he was my dad! My hero!”
Jason added: “No one ever has stood by me like he did. No one has ever believed in me like he did. My Dad had a fiery passion for his craft and his community. Strong beliefs about Australia and its identity. He loved his grandchildren and of course he adored my wife Ange. He loved family.”
The singer and actor said he was feeling “sad but happy” as he was preparing to leave Australia with “all manner of emotions”.
“Happy because I know that he had an incredible life. A life lived to the max. A Razzle Dazzle if you like. Sad well…… Gonna miss you Dad!” Jason wrote.
“You’ve given me more character and love than I’d ever hoped for in a lifetime. How lucky am I to have had a Dad like you. Fly high my crazy friend. The melody lingers on.”
He then signed off the emotional message as “Jabon”, his dad’s nickname for him.
In a previous Instagram post about his father, Jason celebrated Terence’s activism to garner support for the Australian film and TV industry.
“The result of that campaign was an obligation on commercial television broadcasters to broadcast Australian stories,” Jason captioned a black-and-white picture of his dad marching through the streets of Melbourne under a banner which read: “T.V. MAKE IT AUSTRALIAN NOW.”
“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, Strictly Ballroom etc.”
While the father and son duo didn’t star on Neighbours together during their regular appearances, they both returned to Erinsborough for the show’s 2022 finale, reprising their respective roles as Doug and Scott.