SEVENTIES IDOL ADDS TO FESTIVE SPECTACLE

Just being a member of his famous family guarantees Merrill Osmond his fair share of adoration. The1970s equivalent of Westlife or McFly, with the added quirk of all being siblings and hailing from the other side of the Atlantic, The Osmonds were teen pin-ups of the decade - and more than 30 years on Merrill alone is getting a million hits a month on his website.

They may all be a trifle older, but the musical legacy of the brothers - not forgetting sister Marie - lives on into the 21st century through collective and solo projects. And Merrill's latest exploits bring him to the Westcountry - his ancestral home - this month to star in the Plymouth Pavilions festive extravaganza The Spirit of Christmas.

His is the incredible lead voice you hear on Osmonds' hits like One Bad Apple, Down by the Lazy River, Love Me for a Reason and the countless hits written by Merrill in collaboration with his brothers, Alan, Wayne, Jay, Donny and little Jimmy, include five number ones and 27 gold records.

Now he is adding his weight to a cast that includes easy-listening favourite Peter Grant and a bevvy of high-kicking chorus girls, to bring us some Broadway-style festive cheer through song and dance.

Christmas has always been a very special time in the Osmond household. Not only are the family devoutly religious - as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - but they have always loved the whole package of decorating the house, present giving, playing games and sharing festive meals.

Merrill, now 53, has fond childhood memories of preparations starting at the very beginning of December.

"Dad used to run things like an army sergeant, so we were put into different committees - decorating, food, clean-up (that was the worst one). Everything else stopped about a week before Christmas and we just threw ourselves into it," recalls Merrill, whose mother's ancestors originate from Wells in Somerset.

As the Plymouth production runs right up to Christmas Eve, this will be the first time he and his wife, Mary, will be leaving their own six adult children, their partners and offspring - not to mention the vast extended Osmond clan, who all live nearby in Branson, Missouri - to celebrate Christmas and New Year in England.

"I will miss them all but Mary and I have been married for 33 years, and it will be great to spend some time with her. And we have lots of friends in England, too," says Merrill, who was the first Osmond brother to wed at the age of 19, breaking a lot of teenage hearts. "We were young," he admits. "But thank goodness I found the right gal."

Just as the love of Christmas tradition has passed through to the next generations of Osmonds, so the love of their music has been handed down to a new army of young fans - something that astonishes and delights Merrill.

"When Elvis was still alive he said to me that the day your fans start bringing their kids to your shows, you know you have crossed the generation gap, and he was absolutely right," says Merrill, who loves nothing better than making eye contact with members of his audience. "I love to see where people are coming from - they express so much love for us and I am fascinated by that. I make a point of reading as many fan letters as I can and it is humbling to realise how much our music means to people and even how it has shaped their lives."

The Spirit of Christmas show at Plymouth promises a solid core of seasonal songs from years gone by like White Christmas, Happy Holiday and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - but not even Merrill will know exactly which songs he is singing until he arrives in England.

Audiences will take a special musical journey through the streets of London to enjoy Christmas past , and there will be Christmas in New York City and festive celebrations in rock 'n' roll and country style. Children will love Santa's workshop as the toys come to life, not to mention Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Christmas carol land and Frosty the snowman.

Spirit of Christmas runs at Plymouth Pavilions from December 18 to 24. Tickets cost £19.50, £17.50 or £14.50 (December 18 all tickets £14). To book call 0845 146 1460 or visit www.plymouthpavilions.com.