'It's a bit of reverse psychology': Jason Donovan reveals he's open to his children using DRUGS at home in a bid to educate them

Published: 15:32 GMT, 22 November 2016 | Updated: 16:38 GMT, 22 November 2016

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Jason Donovan sparked fierce debate on Tuesday afternoon by revealing he would be open to his children taking illegal substances in front of him.

Appearing Loose Women, the former pop star, 48, admitted to having a frank conversation with children Zak, Jemma and Molly about drug abuse shortly before featuring on the daily panel show.

And Donovan, who battled with substance abuse issues throughout the nineteen-nineties, revealed that in a worst case scenario he would rather they use drugs in a controlled environment, should the situation arise.

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Candid: Jason Donovan sparked fierce debate on Tuesday afternoon by revealing he would be open to his children taking illegal substances in front of him.

'I had a conversation with Zak about that last night,' he explained. 'I’m very open about these things… Life happens and you’ve got to educate your kids to make the right choices.

'It would be a terrible thing to say but I almost feel like: "If you are gonna do it, bring it home and do it" - does that sound weird? "If you want to do it, do it in front of me right now and I’ll keep and eye on you."'

'That’s how I feel about it… it’s a bit like alcohol in Europe where they’re allowed to drink.'

Opening up: Donovan made the admission during an appearance on daily panel show Loose Women

The Australian star was quick to add that his philosophy does not mean he has a relaxed attitude towards substance abuse.

'I’m not advocating drugs in kids in any way shape or form… It’s a bit of reverse psychology,' he said.

'I think good parenting and tying to support your kids as they grow up is an important part of it.'

Writing in his 2007 autobiography, Between The Lines: My Story Uncut, Jason revealed his own path to addiction began when he first tried cocaine at the age of 18 and ‘knew there and then that this was a drug I could get a taste for’.

Open minded: Jason, who battled with substance abuse issues throughout the nineteen-nineties, revealed that in a worst case scenario he would rather they use drugs in a controlled environment, should the situation arise

Tough stance: The Australian star was quick to add that his philosophy does not mean he has a relaxed attitude towards substance abuse

Happy to be here: The performer was warmly greeted by panelist Coleen Nolan

The performer has now been clean for 16 years, and he admits the catalyst for his road to recovery was when girlfriend Angela Malloch, now his wife, gave him an ultimatum after discovering she was pregnant with their oldest daughter.

‘It was 2000 and my daughter Jemma was born,' he told MailOnline in 2015. 'The sun was shining and it was a new day. It was time to move on.

‘I didn’t do NA [Narcotics Anonymous]. I didn’t do any of it. I totally appreciate that some people do need that and support groups are very useful, but you’ve got to want to change.

'And if you don’t want to change, no one is going to convince you to do it.’

Proud dad: Donovan is a father to Zak, Jemma and Molly with wife Angela Malloch (pictured here in 2009)

Checkered past: Writing in his 2007 autobiography, Between The Lines: My Story Uncut, Donovan revealed his own path to addiction began when he first tried cocaine at the age of 18