Donny and Marie: Joined forces again recently to present a talk show

Julie caught the Donny bug at the age of 13, listening to the likes of Puppy Love.

She went to see him for the first time as he played at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park in November 1972.

Now 41, she has continued to see him perform live, often having to travel a little further afield.

"I usually go to America several times a year and try and catch Donny in whatever he is performing in.

"I go with friends who are also fans, but we do make a holiday of it, seeing all the usual sights, not just following him around."

Meet-and-greet

Donny, now 43 and married with five sons, is spending three weeks in Britain to promote his new album This is the Moment and will be doing a whirlwind promotional tour.

He did spend six days here in February for a pre-promotional tour doing countless television and radio interviews.

The obsession for schoolchildren now in groups like Westlife is the same as it was for The Osmonds

Julie Seagroatt

He also presented the best female award at the Brits.

While here, he had some time at the last minute and he told Julie he would like to meet up with some of his fans.

A message was put on a special recorded answerphone, used by fans without the internet, the night before the meet-and-greet.

However, more than 100 people made the date in a London hotel.

Julie said: "We were told Donny might have time to have to a meet-and-greet but we didn't know until the very last minute.

"All I could do was put the message on the recorded service.

"People told me they were ringing the number constantly but it was always engaged.

"So they set their alarms for the middle of the night and it was still engaged, because others were doing the same.

"Donny was amazed at the turnout and people had managed to make it from as far away as Wales."

Obsession

As yet it is not known whether a similar date can be arranged for this trip.

If it does it will probably be another last-minute call, that Julie will take in her stride.

As well as answering fans' questions, Julie also imports merchandise which is rarely made available in Europe.

Julie likes to think of her interest in Donny as just a hobby.

"The obsession for schoolchildren now in groups like Westlife is the same as it was for The Osmonds.

"Although we get older, and fans have careers and families, it still stays as in interest in your life."

Although Donny has not recorded music for 10 years, apart from a Christmas album not released in the UK, interest in him has not waned.

Donny is very enthusiastic and gives a lot to his fans

Julie Seagroatt

He and his wife Debbie live in Utah with their five sons.

In America he toured in the musical Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat for six years.

Andrew Lloyd Webber was so impressed he invited him to star in the recent film version which was filmed at the Pinewood Studios.

Donny also returned to TV in 1998 for two seasons with an entertainment chat show with his sister Marie.

After quitting this, he decided to go back into the studio to record music.

Julie has her theories on why so many people have remained loyal to Donny through the years.

"Donny is very enthusiastic and gives a lot to his fans. He spends time with them when he can and he is very giving."