Jimmy Osmond tells Katherine MacAlister performing on stage is tough work, but worth it.

JIMMY Osmond is a showman through and through, but more importantly he’s a professional.

So even though Chicago is his umpteenth musical, he gives me his undivided attention and chats away happily about his wife and four children back home in the US, growing up in the Osmonds and why he can’t keep away from the stage.

“Every new project is a new experience and I play someone new every time.

“But my family is the ultimate thing in my life and I’m just fortunate to have a career as well because I have four great kids and a great wife.”

A happy man then.

“Oh yes, and a one-woman man too. Eighteen years it’s been, not bad considering I’m constantly surrounded by beautiful women,” the 46-year-old says, laughing as he gestures at the fellow cast members on the set.

But boy, he’s worked hard at it. Because almost as soon as Jimmy could stand he was on stage aged three.

As a solo artist, Jimmy has accumulated six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums.

In addition, Jimmy and the world-renowned Osmond family have sold more than 100 million records and share 51 gold and platinum recordings along with numerous other prestigious awards and honours, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

But having wet his teeth in the West End in Grease in January, he’s now loving being back on stage in Chicago.

“People have allowed me to grow, develop and try new styles so I’d be happy if it all stopped today because I’ve been given some great chances,” he says.

“But I don’t have to be on stage to be fulfilled. I do a lot of backstage stuff and love being part of a team.

“I practically live over here now because I go where I’m needed,” he laughs.

So why not move over here then?

“Oh I love it here and have purpose and a lot of fun in the UK. But Missouri is home.

“But I did my first panto this year in Northampton and we all came over and rented a really cool house in the country over Christmas with sheep and everything, and pretended we lived there,” he laughs. “And it was great.”

And his wife Michelle is coming over to Oxford for a romantic weekend away, catching Jimmy in Chicago for the first time.

“We met in Utah,” Jimmy explains.

“She babysat for my brother and we were just friends for a long time before we got married,” he remembers.

“But it’s been a great partnership.”

The family travel with Jimmy all over the world on a regular basis, which he feels gives them a better perspective.

“What have you got to lose?

When I was a kid we started working in Japan when I was really young, and the key to happiness is diversity. So I like to try new things.

“Besides, if I stay in one place for too long I get cabin fever. A different city every night is the norm.”

So does he worry about his own children?

“The only way you can protect your children in life is to talk to them about everything and teach them about life, so they know how to deal with it,” he muses.

“People may think I grew up in a weird way, but I don’t regret a day of it. I just make sure I lead by example.”

And you can be sure that’s exactly what he’ll be doing when he steps on to the stage as Billy Flynn.

l Chicago opens at the New Theatre, George Street, on Monday. Box office on 0844 8471585.