The actor, the father of singer Jason Donovan, has died at the age of 90

Doncaster rock star John Parr has paid tribute following the death of Australian actor Terence Donovan - dubbing his “old pal” - and recounting the time he left his pop star son Jason bewildered wth a music mix-up on Christmas Day morning.

Terence, who appeared in Neighbours and Home and Away as well a string of other films and TV shows, died at the age of 90 on July 18.

Sykehouse singer-song writer John, who worked with the veteran actor on the soundtrack to the movie Paris, has shared the anecdote as he paid tribute.

He said: “I send my sincere condolences to Jason and his family on the passing of his father, my old pal Terry, a really lovely bloke I spent some great times with in England and in Australia when we worked on the Paris album together.

“I thought I would share one of those moments.

“A few years ago, one Christmas morning, my wife and I were in bed when we heard laughter coming from downstairs.

“It was Terry on the answer machine cackling away and relaying a truly absurd situation.

“At that time, his son Jason was on a high, a mega star of the day and Terry had asked me to give him a tape of some of my songs for Jason to listen to, which of course I did.

“So that Christmas in Australia he sat Jason down and said “I’ve got something special for you to listen to!” and began to play my tape.

“But what came out was not what he expected. What they heard was…“Sit back, relax, take your shoes off, breath deeply...”

“Inadvertently I had given Terry a relaxation tape and hearing his voice laughing on my answer machine as he described the scene and Jason’s bewilderment was one of those magic moments - of which there were many in this lovely man’s life.

“God bless my old pal - and like the many before, I’ll see you on the other side.”