Kate Garraway has ‘awkward’ interview with Jason Donovan on GMB after £700k tax bill
AS a seasoned broadcaster with years of experience, Kate Garraway is known for asking the difficult questions, catching some of the biggest stars in showbiz by surprise.
This time Jason Donovan was in the hotseat, as the Aussie star appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain to discuss his role in The Rocky Horror show musical, which comes to London’s West End in September.
Currently based Down Under, the 55-year-old joined the ITV show via video with Kate highlighting that when he first played the role of Frank N Furter in 1998, he was in a “very dark place”.
During the interview, Kate, 57 said: “That’s the happy place that you’re in now isn’t it because 25 years ago, when you were last on stage, the Rocky Horror show in this role, it kind of saved you from a very very dark place, where it didn’t look like at the time that you’d be looking and feeling this good 25 years on, did it?”
However Jason, who met his wife Angela on the 1998 production, seemed none too pleased to be reminded of his past trauma.
He said: “Well, I mean, you know, I don’t know whether it necessarily saved me? It had a purpose in my life…”
But Kate asserted herself once again, by saying: “I’m just saying that you’ve been quoted as saying that it saved you, it’s not me making it up!”
Appearing a little taken aback, Jason then replied: “Oh am I? Oh Kate really? Oh okay okay.”
Kate and co-host Adil Ray then appeared confused as Jason seemed to suggest that he could check out of the interview early.
He said: “ Your comment before, you said, ‘You look well and you look really healthy’. Its because I’ve always had a relatively positive outlook on life and I’ve always kept very fit.
“I have great friends and great family around me, I think a support network when you’re in those moments is crucial.
“But I’ll leave you with, well, I won’t leave you unless you want me to leave?” to which Adil shouted: “Where are you going?” and Kate insisted: “Don’t go anywhere!”
But the stilted chat was not lost on viewers, who were quick to comment on social media.
One said: “Watching GMB and goodness me they’re determined to get Jason Donovan to keep dragging up the past when he’d clearly like to talk about the future.”
Another said: “The interview wit Jason Donovan is so awkward.”
As a showbiz veteran no doubt Jason wasn’t too perturbed by the interview, which is great publicity for his upcoming show.
‘NEED EVERY PENNY’
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Show’s 1974 film release.
The former Neighbours actor has been playing the role in Sydney and Melbourne over in his native Oz and will return to the UK where he has a home, to star in the role at London’s Dominion Theatre.
Earlier this week The Sun revealed how Good Morning Britain host Kate has been forced to seek financial help after being lumbered with a £716,000 tax bill from late husband Derek Draper‘s psychotherapy company.
She also revealed that she’s had to cash in some of her pension to help cover the bills since Derek’s passing in January.
She told a guest, who has had to pay £15k for their own private healthcare: “You need every penny of that pension.
“I’m doing something similar myself.
“I’ve just had to withdraw the bit you can tax-free for my pension to pay belated bills for my husband that passed away.”