Donny and Marie Osmond, just a couple of smoothies: Four decades on from driving fans wild, the pop star and his sister appear unchanged

PUBLISHED: 16:25 EST, 5 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:09 EST, 5 November 2012

You couldn’t quite call it Osmondmania.

Not unless a bloke with his hands in his pockets in the background counts as a screaming mob.

But four decades on from the days when he drove teenage fans wild with desire, Donny Osmond popped up in Britain again today, alongside his sister Marie.

Marie and Donny Osmond at the height of Osmondmania (left) in 1975, and the siblings today (right)

Back then, there would have been hysterical scenes at the airport, female fans throwing themselves at his feet, screaming girls trying to grab a lock of his hair.

Today so much had changed. Except, perhaps for the performers themselves.

For although they have a combined age of 107 and boast 13 children between them, time (and maybe a touch of cosmetic enhancement) appears to have been kind to the one-time sibling sensations.

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See how they stand side by side in a mirror image of the pose they adopted in 1975, hands placed gently on shoulder and waist.

Marvel at the way those gleaming white teeth could still illuminate a darkened room.

And praise the Lord that someone finally told them white suits and silk bow ties no longer suit a grandad and his thrice-married sister.

For although they have a combined age of 107 and boast 13 children between them, time (and maybe a touch of cosmetic enhancement) appears to have been kind to the one-time sibling sensations

The pair were in London to promote a UK tour, appearing on ITV’s Daybreak programme today.

They have not toured together in Britain before, but once, word that Donny was in town would have heralded pandemonium.

With his brothers in The Osmonds, the squeaky-clean heart-throb and champion of wholesome family values sold more than 100 million records.

Marie was in London with her brother to promote a UK tour. They have not toured together in Britain before

Donny took the country by storm with hits including Puppy Love - and broke a million hearts when he wed Debbie, his teenage sweetheart, to whom he is still married.

Such was the impact of Osmondmania in the early 1970s that commentators likened it to Beatlemania, and psychologists earnestly analysed its effect on teenage girls.

Today, apparently, grown women still treasure posters of Donny. Talent-show songbird Susan Boyle once told him she slept with a Donny blanket.

Donny has never provoked the same kind of hysteria that hallmarked his teenage years. Earlier today he was happy to sign an autograph for a fan as he left the Radio 2 studios in London

It was a time of great change in Britain.

While he and Marie were appearing on their own show in 1975, Margaret Thatcher was elected Conservative leader and Britons said yes to the Common Market in a referendum.

But Donny would later concede he was ‘washed up’ after legions of fans abandoned him, and he never provoked the same kind of hysteria that hallmarked his teenage years.

Both he and Marie, however, have remained in showbusiness for half a century and have an award-winning show in Las Vegas.

Such was the impact of Osmondmania in the 1970s that commentators likened it to Beatlemania. The siblings performing in the 1970s (left) and in 2008 (right)

The family has long-standing roots in England and Wales and a great-grandfather is buried in Merthyr Tydfil.

‘It feels like coming home,’ Donny said.

With luck, he will have left the white suit back in his native Utah.

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I remember singing along to Marie's song: Paper 'Woses' at school.

- Denny , London, 06/11/2012 00:06

Click to rate Rating 45

They look great!

- Sadie , New Hampshire, 06/11/2012 00:03

Click to rate Rating 59

To be fair, Marie Osmond has been married three times, but to just two men. She had a three year marriage to Steve Craig, then a 20 year marriage to Brian Blosil, then remarried Steve Craig, to whom she is still married. The Osmonds are the most stable, grounded family in show business.

- Gigi , Austin, United States, 06/11/2012 00:02

Click to rate Rating 70

A silly article - but I love Donny Osmond!

- Katie , Cotswolds, 05/11/2012 23:42

Click to rate Rating 27

Saw them at a Christmas special-they are truly talented.Funny ,entertaining.Not too many like them anymore.Tickets were reasonable and well worth the money.

- Malinda , USA, United States, 05/11/2012 23:40

Click to rate Rating 44

REALLY?: "Such was the impact of Osmondmania in the early 1970s that commentators likened it to Beatlemania, and psychologists earnestly analysed its effect on teenage girls." hahahah, where? On Mars? Come on..., did you see thejackson5/theJacksons mania?

- Brandon , SVK, 05/11/2012 23:25

Click to rate Rating 36

I was not that much of an Osmond fan in the '70's, but I respect that they are stil a wholesome pair who strive to entertain.

- Missy , Greenville, United States, 05/11/2012 22:57

Click to rate Rating 40

I was about 13 when Puppy Love was a hit and every time I heard it on the radio I just had to stop whatever I was doing and listen to every second of it. It still gives me goosebumps whenever I hear Donny singing it in the 70's. Sad, I know!

- yes but , Manchester, United Kingdom, 05/11/2012 22:54

Click to rate Rating 37

He is STILL gorgeous, she's had some lovely work done and they are truly talented.

- Cambridgemummy , Cambridge, 05/11/2012 22:52

Click to rate Rating 42

Your comments I always wanted to marry him and 40 years later I still do

- amanda , london, United Kingdom, 05/11/2012 22:44

Click to rate Rating 40

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