ALL good things must come to an end, writes MARTIN HUTCHINSON.

And so, more than 50 years after they shot to stardom, The Osmond Brothers are undertaking their final UK tour.

Osmondmania hit the world and the band amassed millions of predominantly female fans as they sold 100 million records with hits like Love Me for a Reason and One Bad Apple.

Jimmy, the youngest and most famous of the siblings, arrived on the scene in 1972 with Long Haired Lover From Liverpool – and The Osmonds have been touring ever since.

The line-up for this final UK tour is Jimmy, Jay, Wayne and Merrill.

Speaking from his home in Utah, Jimmy tells me that Britain has a special place in his heart.

“I’ve always been welcomed in whatever I do, whether it be singing or doing panto.

Since the seventies, the UK has been amazing, not just to me but to all my brothers too.”

He celebrates his 48th birthday on April 16 – a rare day off on a tour which takes in 46 cities in 55 days.

But Jimmy is still most asked to perform a song he recorded before the age of ten – Long Haired Lover From Liverpool.

“I learned a long time ago that you don’t mess with people’s memories,” he laughs.

“I left the song out of the set, but we were at the Wembley Arena and the place erupted and I had to sing it – so basically it was a case of ‘just shut up and do your job’.”

“Amazingly, it was the biggest selling UK hit for anything with The Osmonds’ name.”

What will Jimmy be listening to on the tour bus?

“I don’t really listen to our songs as I’m not that narcissic, I tend to like classic rock and The Eagles.

“But the songs have really stood the test of time and have been covered by many top artists. Crazy Horses has a cool iconic sound and Let Me In is a wonderful song.”

Jimmy adds: “It’s great that we can celebrate 53 years and still be friends “We don’t always get along and we do have our rows. But this tour is all about a great big thank you to everyone for their love and support through the years.

u The Osmonds Up Close and Personal tour is at The Mayflower on Sunday