Jason Donovan: Too Many Broken Hearts

The first girl I ever fell in love with was Jenny Heywood. I was seven years old at the time.

Earlier that summer, our family had relocated to Sussex from north Wales. I was faced with the challenge of adjusting not only to a new village, but also a new school and new people. Not to mention the fact that the road signs were unilingual.

Jenny was in my class right through junior school. I took an instant shine to her; even then, I was able to recognise a very pretty girl when I saw one. However, like most seven-year-old boys, I was unable to adequately deal with all of these new feelings. I consequently kept most of them bottled up for years.

Jenny seemed to like me, though. One time, during one of Mrs Morice's lessons, she kissed me on the back of the neck. Just like that. Out of the blue. It had an impact on me; I can still remember the moment clear as day. Just as clear is the memory of how stunned and surprised I was. My face must have been a picture.

I recall that Jenny was a passionate supporter of animal welfare, and organised several petitions on such issues as the transportation of farm animals. I signed them; I doubt very much that I properly understood the issues, but I trusted Jenny and wanted to make her happy.

In our final year in junior school we fell out. I can't remember why, but I seem to recall I behaved pretty idiotically. We never made up. That summer, as we made the transition to secondary school, my Dad was transferred back north, and we returned to Wales.

I never saw her again.

So to the musical connection. During the late eighties, Neighbours-hysteria was hitting its peak. Jenny, like many girls at the time, had a crush on Jason Donovan. Even today, every time I hear Too Many Broken Hearts, I still spare a thought for the pretty girl with the hazelnut-coloured hair.

I wonder what she's up to now?