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Jay Osmond describes his "love" of Oxford on visit to Westgate

Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix
Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

Crowds of fans gathered in Oxford’s Westgate Centre to see music star Jay Osmond perform alongside the cast of the musical based on his band’s story.

Osmond, who was a member of the 1970s sensation The Osmonds, was at the shopping centre with the cast yesterday afternoon to promote the show as it embarks on a UK-wide tour.

Osmond told the Oxford Mail he performed in Oxford many years ago even took part in punting when he visited the city more recently.

READ MORE: What happened at Westgate in Oxford today?

Oxford Mail: Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix
Oxford Mail: Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

He described how he loves the "quaintness" of the city.

He said: "Not only is it historical but there is a great spirit here. People are happy, they are productive, they are good people. I just love it."

The show will play at the New Theatre Oxford later this month and tells the real-life story of the Osmonds siblings and their career in music both through the bad times and good.

Taking place in the Leiden Square, the five stars of the show who play Merrill, Alan, Jay, Wayne and Donny Osmond performed songs and dance numbers to a crowd full of fans.

The role of Merrill Osmond is played by local boy Ryan Anderson, who is originally from Kidlington.

Oxford Mail: The cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix
Oxford Mail: The cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

The cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

After the show fans took photographs with Osmond and the cast, some having even brought along their Osmonds memorabilia from the 70s.

Osmond said he was “looking forward” to bringing the musical to the city and called the New Theatre Oxford a “beautiful theatre”.

He said: “What I am trying to do with the musical is show people that our family, the Osmonds, have been on through my eyes – this is strictly through my eyes and how I saw it.

“I wanted people to understand some of the hard times, the good times and what was behind the songs.”

Oxford Mail: Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix
Oxford Mail: Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

Jay Osmond with the cast of The Osmonds - A New Musical. Picture: Ed Nix

Osmond explained the musical is a “family show” and he was “amazed” at how many young people came.

He said: “Their mom’s were little girls back in the 70s and it is amazing how it has gone into the next generation.

“A sweet girl came up to me the other day after seeing the show and said this it is ‘not just your story it is my story too’. We like to intertwine that the fans had such an effect on our lives, it is really to see that.”

The Osmonds – A New Musical will play at the New Theatre Oxford from February 22 to 26.

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