Return of crazy horse

FOR a self confessed workaholic Donny Osmond is about as cool and calm as they come.

This year has seen him release an album, present a TV show either side of the Atlantic and now he's about to embark on a tour that has him singing all around our island.

And 2008 is already spoken for, he reveals on the phone from his home in Utah.

"I like to have it all mapped out and ready to execute," he says of his schedule, "although I've got to keep it open for a little bit of spontaneity - spontaneity is the spice of life.

"That's why in my shows my band have a set list but they are looking at me because I have a tendency to switch into something else - it keeps them and me on our toes; turn left when they expect me to turn right."

After more than 40 years in show business, the original heartthrob of America's other uber-famous showbiz family is the consummate professional. But with that tangible professionalism comes a now trademark sense of warmth and humour. Donny is an instantly affable talker who has shrugged off the naffness of The Osmonds to become an enduring housewives favourite.

That's partly why he was asked to present Identity, the BBC show that has recently had him on our screens doing something other than crooning.

"I was approached five years ago to do a show called Pyramid over here in the States. I'd never done a game show before although I was intrigued by them. "I had so much fun. They then asked me to do it over there and then the BBC called me about Identity.

"So the whole of July, after a concert in Wales and the Princess Diana concert at Wembley, I went up to Manchester and did a whole series. I was still the pop star but in a whole different world - a lot of the contestants had put my posters on their wall when they were younger - and you're giving other people's money away."

One thing that hasn't altered is Donny's ability to defy age.

Now a comfortable 47, the face that led The Osmonds conquest of the western world is still uncannily youthful and untroubled by wrinkles.

Part of that may be to do with living amid the fresh air of Utah. Much is arguably to do with a lifestyle informed by the abstinence of the Mormon faith.

"I grew up in LA in the madness and 10 years ago me and my wife Debbie decided to move here," he confirms. "I love living in the mountains but I'm not an outdoors kind of guy. I am careful with what I eat, although a bit of junk food every once in a while is good for the joints without going over board.

"Being a Mormon…I think that has something to do with it. I don't smoke, I don't drink 'what do you do?' as Adam Ant would say. We won't go into that," he quips. "But it has something to do with my health because I do stay away from the usual vices. I'm a workaholic. That's my vice. I don't know when to stop, but I get bored easily."

Not that he's exactly got a bad job. Aside from the TV work, with his singing he is re-igniting memories, not least with current album Love Songs Of The '70s. His 55th studio LP, with sentimental hits from that era including Mandy, I Can See Clearly Now and How Deep Is Your Love. "It is nice to relive the past," he concurs. "Certain music will trigger memories or certain moments. It's important to keep that side of your life and our music represents that to a lot of people; it reminds of a more innocent time.

"But the public these days grow bored very easily - and I am the same way. You have to keep it fresh. They've got to hear the hits as well as the new music. I've been doing this for 45 years so there's a repertoire there and I've four screens behind me for the up the nose shot, photos and footage of me and my brothers."

The current tour takes in 11 cities, bringing him back to Sheffield and the Hallam FM Arena on October 24.

"Another reason I worked on the UK market is I think more so than anywhere else than other market, except perhaps Germany, music is so important.

"When I was doing Joseph in the mid '90s my director told me something I never forgot about being an entertainer. He said 'what's important is that people can come to the theatre and dream in public and you are in charge of the dream'. Everybody goes into this surreal world while they are there. Well, we go back down memory lane, so this takes you to a different place."

Of course, during the early to mid-'70s, Osmondmania did exactly that for Donny and his siblings. In America and the UK the clean-living lads were subjected to their version of Beatlemania.

"Fans chasing us everywhere, being locked in our hotel rooms, police escorts, girls hiding in our closets - we lived our own version of A Hard Day's Night," recalls Donny, who became the star of the group, singing solos and landing the biggest screams.

"It was uncomfortable at first, especially given the fact my brothers started the group. But when a band becomes successful you don't mess with what works. True, we were singing teenybopper stuff, but it was selling, selling more than anyone could have imagined.

"In showbusiness, if you really allow it to take over, you remain a kid. I can understand why Michael Jackson never grew up. But I'd rather not go into that."

Tickets, priced 32, are available from 0870 400 0688 and www.LiveNation.co.uk and www.ticketrush.co.uk

So how do you fancy seeing Donny up close? We have a pair of front row tickets to give away to for his Sheffield show.

Click here by Monday to tell us the highest British chart position Crazy Horses got to on its original release.Anniversary tour tickets on sale today!

AND if that's not enough The Osmonds 50th Anniversary Tour went on sale today, bringing Donny back with Marie and Jimmy to the arena on May 23.

It follows sell out shows in Las Vegas and will feature all seven performing Osmonds - the first chance fans will have to see all the family together on stage in the UK for 27 years performing classics such as One Bad Apple, Down By The Lazy River and Love Me For A Reason. "This tour is a great opportunity for all of us to get back together and celebrate our incredible 50-year history," says Jay Osmond.

"We truly want this tour to be a great big thank you to all our fans for their love and support through the years. We've all performed in the UK many times, but to be back performing together, for the first time in 27 years, is going to be a special thing for all of us."

The Osmonds have recorded 142 albums, selling over 100 million copies.

Tickets are priced at 39.50 (subject to booking fee).