Osmonds show reveals real family story

Here we take a look back at when the Osmonds played the Manchester Apollo in January 1979 - a concert that many Bradford fans will recall - and some of their appearances in Bradford in more recent years.

Back in 2014 y Merrill Osmond called into the Wetherby Whaler in Guiseley tucked into fish and chips with his band, ahead of a concert at City Varieties in Leeds.

And in 2009 Jimmy Osmond played smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago at the Alhambra. It was a far cry from his Long Haired Lover from Liverpool days...

* The Osmonds: A New Musical, by Jay Osmond, features the band's mega-hits such as Crazy Horses, Love Me For A Reason and Puppy Love.

It's the story of the brothers from Utah who were child stars and went on to sell more than 100 million records and generate hysteria among their army of fans.

From their residency on the Andy Williams Show in the 1960s to the ‘Osmondmania’ of the 1970s, the Osmonds have had a remarkable career, recording chart-topping albums, selling out arenas and making TV shows. Jay Osmond reveals "the real family behind the hits" - parents George and Olive Osmond and their nine children, Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and Jimmy.

"I’ve wanted to tell my story for a long time and the opportunity to create this‘living autobiography’ seemed the perfect way to do so," says Jay. "There were some difficult times in my life, and some big hurdles to overcome, and this musical will tell people things that will surprise them. But despite that trouble, when you look back and think of the fans, the music, the once-in-a-lifetime things we did - it’s joyful.

The Osmonds have appeared in Bradford several times. Their final UK tour together was at St George's Hall in 2012 and in 2019 Merrill Osmond brought his Christmas show to the venue.

* The Osmonds: A New Musical is at the Alhambra October 19-23, 2021. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk