Neighbours and Home and Away star Terence Donovan dies aged 90 as son Jason pays tribute to his ‘best friend’

NEIGHBOURS and Home and Away actor Terence Donovan has died aged 90, as his heartbroken son Jason pays a moving tribute to the legend. The London-born star passed away peacefully in Melbourne on Saturday night, his family have confirmed in an emotional post. Terence Donovan and Jemma Donovan arrive at opening night of “Chicago The Musical” on December 19, 2019 in Melbourne Credit: Getty Neighbours legend Terence Donovan pictured with his son Jason Credit: Instagram/jdonofficial His actor son Jason Donovan posted: “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. “Obviously this is an extremely emotional time and we ask you to respect our privacy. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! “We want to pay tribute to all the wonderful staff at Cabrini Hospital, Melbourne who looked after him in his final days.” Jason added: “Our dad was a huge character. Larger than life. He was our best friend… Our world. Jason as a child with his father Terence Credit: Instagram/jdonofficial Terence Donovan was a familiar face to millions of TV viewers Credit: Alamy “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.” Donovan was a familiar face to millions of TV viewers, winning legions of fans for his roles in “Neighbours” and” Home and Awa”y. He also starred in popular Australian police dramas Division 4 and Cop Shop, which were hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Most read in Showbiz The veteran actor also appeared on the big screen in acclaimed films including Breaker Morant and The Man from Snowy River. Born in London in October 1935, Terence emigrated to Australia in the late 1950s to pursue his acting career. He married TV presenter Sue McIntosh in 1965 and the couple welcomed son Jason three years later. Their marriage ended after seven years. Terence even shared the screen with his son Jason when he joined Neighbours, playing Doug Willis in the soap that turned his son into an international star. He continued acting well into his later years, making his final appearance as Doug Willis in 2022. Acting talent has since passed to a third generation of the family, with Jason’s daughter Jemma Donovan starring as Harlow Robinson in Neighbours between 2019 and 2022. Jason shot to global fame as heart-throb Scott Robinson, whose romance with Kylie Minogue’s character Charlene became one of the soap’s most famous love stories. Jemma previously revealed Jason was left emotional when she landed her own role in Neighbours, continuing the family’s remarkable connection with the long-running show. After her character was killed off in Hollyoaks last year, Jemma joined Gary Barlow’s Songbook tour as one of his backing singers. Introducing his vocalists to fans on Instagram, Gary joked: “Bringing the age group down.” More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun. Comment now