Eighties pop idol Jason Donovan could never be a woman.

Despite months of touring with the Rocky Horror Show as the twisted transvestite Frank n Furter, he still can't get used to the underwear.

Speaking from his hotel room on the latest leg of the box office smash show, Donovan is incredulous that wearing saucy lingerie has any benefits at all.

"What's the best thing about wearing women's underwear? When I take it off - that's the best thing. I suppose it's fine really - it just wasn't built for men.

"But if you ever needed anybody to go to a fancy dress party I'm your man. I can tell you where everything goes and which side to put your bits."

Playing Frank n Furter is the latest twist in a career that has seen Donovan evolve from the blue-eyed boy next door in Neighbours to a pop sensation, stage star and more recently a drug championing rebel.

With such a varied and long career already behind him at the tender age of 30, how does he see himself now? - an actor or a singer.

Years after his Eighties peers have scribbled out star and replaced it with insurance salesman or unemployed, what does it say on his passport?

"Entertainer. All of the above. It's all entertainment whether you are an actor or a dancer. There's no barriers with what I want to do now."

"It doesn't seem like any time at all to me since I started in the business, and it's been a great way to enjoy my life and make a living at the same time. I don't regret any of it."

"I'm in a very fortunate position where I don't need the cash any more, so I can do what interests me. I could live off Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rocky royalties for ever if I wanted."

Starring in Rocky was certainly a way to shake off the golden boy image and make people sit up and take notice of the man from Melbourne again.

"I feel like I am building a whole new career. I don't want to be Mr Cheesy Pop any more, I want to move on. I am trying to build up a new base with Rocky.

"I do like to take on a challenge. I don't just want to take the easy option and that's why I think people looking at me now will see a progression."

And what does he think of the legions of devoted Rocky fans who regularly turn up at the concerts dressed as their favourite characters and who have helped to make the 25th anniversary tours the most successful ever?

"I think they are great because they pay for my livelihood! But really, you have got to admire them.

This is a show about someone who takes a risk in life and that's what the fans do. "They flout conventions and do their own thing. As someone who has spent the last two years in a haze of marijuana, I salute that," he added.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.