In the Nineties, when everyone thought he was headed to be the new Cliff Richard, Donovan says he recorded dark songs and took up painting. “I did a lot of drawing, too. The songs are gathering dust now. You think you’re being cool and creative. You drink, smoke, think you’ve done the best work of your life. If you live in a normal world you would put it out there. Even if you got s--- reviews, at least you’ve got the brain and the energy to put it out there. I thought I was being interesting but the process of getting it out into the real world didn’t happen. I just didn’t have the energy.”