HE has countless hits in his career and remains one of the ultimate pop stars. But Jason Donovan will be heading back to the roots of rock and roll in his new project which sees him coming to Manchester next week.

Jason will play legendary record producer Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet which opens at the Palace Theatre on Monday.

The show is based around events on December 4, 1956, when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins were all in Phillips’ Sun Studios in Memphis.

“It would have been fascinating to have been there,” said Jason. “No-one really knows what happened that night so I think there is a lot of artistic licence in this piece but it’s such a good show.”

Packed with classic songs ranging from Blue Suede Shoes to Great Balls of Fire, Million Dollar Quartet takes the audience back in time.

“The audiences are just loving it,” said Jason. “I don’t think they quite know what to expect in a way. They feel like they are going for a concert but it turns out to be far more than that.

“It’s really a play with music in a way and they definitely come away from the evening having learned something.”

Although Million Dollar Quartet features some of the best rock and roll songs of all time, Jason doesn’t actually get the chance to sing any of them.

“Singing wasn’t Sam Phillips’ gig,” he laughed. “I do get the chance to sing a bit at the end breaking out of character but as Sam I don’t do any singing.

“It’s such an interesting story and so well told. Sam Phillips was a larger than life sort of character.

“I’ve just heard that Leonardo di Caprio has just got the rights to his story for film, so I’m always available for an audition if he fancies it!”

Phillips was the producer credited with taking rock and roll to the masses. From his Memphis studio he gave artists such as Elvis and Johnny Cash their chance to make an impact.

“You forget that these characters were the cultural icons of that era and in a way define America just as much as McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Marilyn Monroe or even Donald Trump’s haircut,” said Jason.

“The music is fantastic and Sam Phillips put his family and career on the line to bring this type of music to the forefront. At the time it was quite revolutionary and quite controversial.”

Ashley Carruthers plays Jerry Lee Lewis, Robbie Durham is Johnny Cash, Ross William Wild plays Elvis Presley and Matt Wycliffe appears as Carl Perkins. All four have appeared in a variety of West End shows and Jason has been so impressed with their performances.

“They are all very talented guys,” he said. “I’m really lucky to be part of such a good team.”

As well as singing and acting, the four ‘stars’ also make up the live band for the night - supplemented by drummer and bassist.

“It’s quite an ask but they carry it off brilliantly,” said Jason.

Given the number of songs in the show - over 20 classics - it would be easy to see Million Dollar Quartet as being a juke box musical.

“I suppose it is in a way,” said Jason, “but it’s one with a great story attached to it.

“I think it’s just a fascinating tale of these different egos and them trying to create this stable of artists.

“It’s not dissimilar to a Simon Cowell or a Brian Epstein - anyone that’s tried to bring these types of people together - it’s a fascinating story.”

Although he doesn’t get to sing , which song would Jason most like to perform in the show given the chance.

After a long pause he said: “Walk the Line probably. Johnny Cash is very special, he was quite a character.

“But there are so many songs - they are all good. Look at those Elvis songs, when they come on you can see why he became the icon he did. He had such a wonderful catalogue of songs. When he performs the whole thing goes up a notch.

“He had the whole package in a way. He was so charismatic and he certainly had some of the best songs as well.”

Jason ends his run as Sam Phillips in June although the production will continue its first UK tour until November.

“I’m looking forward to the summer festival shows which are always nice and short and special,” he said. “And more importantly there is my Midlife Crisis tour to come which will be fun.

“But that’s in the future. I’m just loving being part of this great show for now. I’m really enjoying the whole process.”

Million Dollar Quartet, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Monday, May 15 to Saturday, May 20. Details from 0844 871 3019