On 24 April it became No. Waking up in the morning, she searched the house until she found him and dragged him to safety. Were all, to a greater or lesser extent, plagued by the same things., He credits his partner, Cathy McGowan, for being a stabilising influence on him. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. When the couple first met, Michael was performing in the musical Aspects of Love. Released by Decca Records, with all proceeds going to NHS Charities Together, the recording went straight to number one in the United Kingdom's "The Official Big Top 40" chart. Their love is certainly the real deal with the singer often gushing over their "strong partnership" and sweetly praised Cathy for being his biggest supporter. I was banging the gong, in a frock, so I dont think he knew quite what hit him. But thats how the community felt, talking to people who were still around in the street where she lived. Ball based his Edna Turnblad on her. Shes simply not interested in any of that anymore.. Ball sang two songs on this show; the first was the song Born Free, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was a hit for the British male singer Matt Monro in 1966. He is the son of Tony Ball, who was the head of global sales for British Leyland Ball, and Ruth Ball, his mother. It was a sporty school, and I wasnt. DON'T MISSDolly Parton teases her famous assets for new Playboy cover recreation [PICS]Lorraine Kelly slams Dominic Cummings for 'smirking' in BBC interview [REACTION]Piers Morgan blasts 'selfish' Prince Harry for memoir and release date[LATEST]. Week after week we were told 'It's just a virus', 'It's just a virus'. Shoppers say this new no-needle 'instant filler' is a game changer for lines and wrinkles, This 'curated ear design' brand is a go-to for fashion influencers - and we have a discount, 6 of our favourite bags from the luxe new accessories label to know. Should there have been more financial support? Michael Ball is returning to screens tonight with another edition of his documentary series called Michael Ball's Wonderful Wales. Three others with cancer still living in Ireland all survived, the first had a breast removed in 1995. Michael Ball's net worth: Michael Ball is a hero, who has attained over $15 million. He guest presented This Morning for a short period. Speaking to Platinum Magazine, he hit back at the suggestion he could be called a toyboy. When ovarian cancer killed Angela McGowan it robbed a family of a wife and a mother; and Michael Ball of the woman who had united him with the "love of his life" - former Ready, steady, Go presenter Cathy McGowan. He sang three tracks from his latest album, Since You've Been Gone; "Home" and "One Voice", as well as two duets with Clark. 2023 BBC. Discover Michael Ball's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. On 2 March 2008, Ball appeared as the guest on the BBC Radio 4 show Desert Island Discs, during which he talked about his early life and his career, including his struggle with stage fright in his early career, and a little about his personal life. She was wrongly diagnosed and the doctor ignored her complaint as, at 36 years old, she was too young to have cancer, he said, despite her mother dying of cancer when my wife was a child, and four of her sisters now having cancer. He had a panic attack on stage, then they started happening on the way to work, randomly, anywhere, he says. Michael Ball, 59, has revealed he felt an instant connection the first time he set eyes on his long-term girlfriend, Cathy McGowan, 78, after she first interviewed him back in 1992. 60 Year Old Actor #30. It was released along with a performance DVD of his 2007 tour, One Voice Live, filmed at London's Hammersmith Apollo. ", READ MORE:Michael Ball's partner Cathy saved singer's life during 'scary' fire. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Michael Ball is returning to screens tonight with another edition of his documentary series called Michael Ball's Wonderful Wales. He even got his first No 1 single, last year, when he recorded Youll Never Walk Alone with Captain Sir Tom Moore and the NHS Voices of Care choir, for charity. While his arena dates with his singing partner, the tenor Alfie Boe, were cancelled, their Christmas album went to No 1, and his solo album, released in May, got to No 2. Michael Ball, 59, has revealed he felt an "instant connection" the first time he set eyes on his long-term girlfriend, Cathy McGowan, 78, after she first interviewed him back in 1992. 8. 2023 BBC. How much do you know about Michael Ball's family? "My wife died one week after her 46th birthday in July . In 2010 and 2011, Ball guest presented six episodes of Lorraine for ITV Breakfast. 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As a student he went busking on Saturdays in Guildford town with a female student friend to earn a little extra money. READ MORE:Loose Women fans accuse Michael Ball of miming. But many in the arts are freelancers so theyre left high and dry; theyre not furloughed. In an unearthed interview, the Les Misrables star said she saved his life. The couple met after he had just landed the lead role in Aspects of Love. However, their 20-year age difference is something that often pops up in conversation with people; something that Michaelinsists is "irrelevant" when it comes to their relationship. Its just electric, and we needed to hear it. After a short break, in 2013 Ball returned to Radio 2 with a new show, Michael Ball on Sunday, airing on Sunday evenings between 7pm and 9pm. The pair met in the 1980s and have lived together since 1992. From 6 April 2008, Ball took over Michael Parkinson's Sunday Supplement on BBC Radio 2 every Sunday from 11a.m. to 1p.m. Ball won the 2008 Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actor in a Musical. As does she.. Ball appeared on a number of television and radio programmes to promote the album. He was born in England and still has British nationality. Ball was interested in the theatre and his father took him to see shows in the school holidays, including a Royal Shakespeare Company production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre of King Lear, which impressed him as a youngster of about 14 years' age. Michael Ball: 'My breakdown made me a better performer - and a better person' As his new show, Hairspray, leads the return to theatres, the singer talks about his mental health struggles, going. Like this story? Ball and Colm Wilkinson anchored the encore, with four Jean Valjeans singing "Bring Him Home": Wilkinson from the original London cast, John Owen-Jones from the 25th Anniversary touring production, Simon Bowman from the current London cast and Alfie Boe, who sang the role in the concert. He explained: I could never have achieved what Ive achieved without Cathy. "My wife died one week after her 46th birthday in July 2002. In the end we went for therapy in the United States. Read about our approach to external linking. This began a run of top 20 albums released over the next two decades. I genuinely didnt think Id be doing what Im doing. Yes, I do if it comes down to the crunch. His album Heroes was released on 14 March 2011. Andrew Bailey took his daughter to the United States for treatment for a brain tumour in 2014. And she doesnt give a monkeys about it. Michael Ball and Alfie Boe video: Watch Michael and Alfie sing Les Mis, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe's most outrageous interview, Michael Ball's partner Cathy saved singer's life during 'scary' fire, Dolly Parton teases her famous assets for new Playboy cover recreation, Lorraine Kelly slams Dominic Cummings for 'smirking' in BBC interview, Piers Morgan blasts 'selfish' Prince Harry for memoir and release date. Ball has long been open about the mental health crisis he experienced, even when it was still quite rare for celebrities, especially men, to talk about such things. I could be funny. He was good at mimicking the teachers and doing impressions of things that had been on TV. He explained: Im too old to be a toyboy, and age has by no means been a problem or thought of. "She's taught me so much and she's made me laugh like a drain - and vice versa.". The advisory body estimates 5,000 lives could be saved each year if GPs follow the new recommendations. In 2004, he co-starred with Petula Clark in a production of Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard at the Cork Opera House, later broadcast by the BBC. Michael continued: It was a really scary thing. That was my thing. His teacher at the Surrey County Youth Theatre suggested he apply for drama school. Ball co-hosted the Olivier Awards with Imelda Staunton on 13 March 2011 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. You can unsubscribe at any time. Michael Ball is in a long-term relationship with Cathy McGowan, 79, but have never married. "It took over five months of misdiagnoses before we found out that our then 14-month-old daughter had an ependymoma brain tumour. Chatting about the children to The Daily Mail, Michael explained: "Theyre sort of my step-grandchildren, I suppose, but it doesnt feel like that. Suddenly it was: This is what Im meant to be doing. He loved performing, being somebody else. Ball embarked on an extensive British tour during March and April 2007. Despite an audience of only 1,000 fewer than half the London Coliseums capacity they did twice the work, Ball says. Michael Ashley Ball, OBE (born 27 June 1962) is an English actor, singer and radio broadcaster. But the one constant in my life was Wales, and my gran and Mountain Ash [her town in the Cynon Valley], and I always felt a kinship with that., His grandmother, Agnes, known as Lil, was a huge influence on him as a performer. The show premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre for six weeks starting 24 September 2011 before transferring to London in March 2012. I could be very entertaining. This is split into five sections: Musicals, Love Songs, Personal Favourites, Party Time, and Unplugged. Watch Captain Tom Moore appear on Blankety Blank as a contestant The pair have been together since 1992, but met in 1989 when Cathy was working as an entertainment reporter at the BBC and interviewed him regarding his musical Aspects Of Love. Michael Ball: his birthday, what he did before fame, his family life, fun trivia facts, popularity rankings, and more. These also started happening at other times, such as when he was going to work. Later the same year he was a guest star at Clark's Concert, also broadcast by the BBC. Coming Home to You is Michael Ball's fourth UK number one album, his first solo number one album in the UK since his self-titled debut album in 1992. He was, however, forced to leave the show because of a viral infection supposedly caused by the fat suit required for the role; this reportedly raised Ball's body temperature by several degrees during the show. He played the role in London and on Broadway. Following the death of Sir Terry Wogan, Ball returned to the Sunday morning slot on 10 April 2016, with the show now titled The Michael Ball Show. This involved singing the song "Home" on ITV's GMTV, This Morning, and the BBC One programme The Heaven and Earth Show, hosted by Gloria Hunniford. Despite nearly three decades together, the couple has no plans to tie the knot. Their friendship later evolved into a romance and the couple has been together ever since. I wish it hadnt happened, but Im quite glad it did in a way. His given name is Michael Ashley Ball. Ive never heard an ovation like it for the cast. The pair met in the 1980s and have lived together since 1992. Michael Ball was born on June 27, 1962, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England. Michael Ball made up 'back injury and heart condition' to skip class[VIDEO]The One Show viewers outraged as Tom Jones 'rushed'[INSIGHT]Alex Jones leaves Michael Ball in hysterics with raunchy The One Show[VIDEO]. Michael admits he fell for Cathysstrong nature,however, they did not begin a romantic relationship straight away. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2016.Ball and Boe :one night only. It destroyed all my memorabilia gold records, videos and CDs and it didnt matter because everyone was all right.". . In 2017, Ball backs children's fairy tales app GivingTales in aid of UNICEF together with Roger Moore, Stephen Fry, Ewan McGregor, Joan Collins, Joanna Lumley, Michael Caine, Charlotte Rampling and Paul McKenna. On 29 December 2013, Ball was a contestant on a celebrity Christmas edition of Catchphrase. "Weve been together about 30 years now, and all I can say is I wish I looked as young as she does, because she looks amazing!". Michael Ball was born in the middle of Baby Boomers Generation. Born Michael Ashley Ball on 27th June, 1962 in Bromsgrove, West Midlands, England, UK, he is famous for Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. Elsewhere, Michael has previously opened up on their 20-year age gap. Yeah, I have been lucky., Balls mother is Welsh and his father is English. I never used to, but Ive learned to smell the roses, to stop and go great. Weve been together about 30 years now, and all I can say is I wish I looked as young as she does, because she looks amazing! See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Ball performed in a "pne-off" Christmas Concert on 12 December 2009 in aid of The Shooting Star Children's Hospice, which he supports. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Cathy even once saved Michael's life after rescuing him from a burning building. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? I think thats been very useful over this last year. Michael has fronted 3 ITV shows with Alfie Boe. "She had her career and is more than happy that the focus is on me now, and shes the best at giving me advice and strength and looking after me," he explained. This song was released as a single by Ball in 1989 and stayed in the British pop charts for fourteen weeks. In a recent interview with Platinum Magazine, he revealed he "couldnt imagine life without". Baby Boomers Generation. Michael Ball is a 60 year old British Actor. My parents came from working backgrounds, and became successful and middle class, and therefore were able to give us as kids the best they thought they could. He adds: I never put myself into any kind of class., Ball, 58, has defied labels, even if critics seem to have their own image of him. It was announced in February 2019 that Ball will star as Inspector Javert opposite Alfie Boe (Jean Valjean) in a staged concert production of Les Misrables. He said back in 2019: Its just not something that we need to do. Michael Ashley Ball, OBE (born 27 June 1962) is an English actor, singer and radio broadcaster. In 1985, he made his West End debut as Marius Pontmercy in the first London production of Les Misrables. He won in 2008 for his role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, and then in 2013 for the title role in the revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The singer then added to the Mirror about how important Cathy has been to him. What would McGowan say about him? I'm thankful that I chose to see my GP and that he quickly realised it might be serious and referred me on for specialist tests. My wife is from the Republic of Ireland, both her and her other sister living in England died of cancer. "She's taught me so much and she's made me laugh like a drain - and vice versa. Patrick Reynolds has seen many of his relatives die from the consequences of cigarettes and is now an anti-tobacco activist. Claudia Winkleman took over the vacant Sunday evening slot later that month. When we met we had an instant connection, he added. Help her live as normal a life as possible. There I was onTop of the Pops. Michael then added: If youve got someone fighting your corner, someone who loves you and you love, and is also really, really clever, the battle is so much easier. In December 2000, she saved his life by dragging him out of a house fire. She came to interview me. Ball co-judged the second series of ITV reality television show Soapstar Superstar in 2007. Ball had his own TV series, Michael Ball, in 1993 and 1994 a Christmas Special in 1995 and a three-part series in 1998 filmed by BBC Cymru Wales Ball in the Hall. The breakdown, he says, made me a better performer, and a better person. And shes been there, done that and bought the T-shirt, and has no interest in interviews or pictures. The couple met after he had just landed the lead role in Aspects of Love. His zodiac sign is Cancer. If it had been diagnosed early, among other things, she certainly wouldn't have suffered acute hydrocephalus [a build up of fluid on the brain] and had needed a shunt for the rest of her life. His public image is so positive and cheery, though he once said in an interview: I dont think Ive ever been truly happy. Ball has a great line in self-deprecation was that a joke? More info. The single reached number 20 in the UK, while an eponymous album released in the same year reached number 1. Won the 2013 Olivier Award for his performance as the titular character in the West End production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The album reached number one in the UK album charts and, although Ball has had many hits, this is his first solo number 1 selling album in 26 years. He explained of Cathy: Shes a bit older than me. They were broadcast in 2016,2017,2019. I love moving an audience and having that connection. And, he adds with a laugh, I quite like being the centre of attention., He was lucky, he says, that graduating coincided with the time of the great British musicals the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh extravaganzas that were happening. A huge early break was getting the role of Marius in the original London production of Les Misrables in 1985, co-directed by Trevor Nunn, then the artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In August 2007 he made his BBC Proms debut with An Evening with Michael Ball at the Royal Albert Hall, which marked the first time a musical theatre star had been given a solo concert at the classical music festival. READ MORE:Michael Ball reveals why he has never married his long-time partner. Since reaching Number 2 in the UK Singles Chart with "Love Changes Everything" from Aspects of Love, Ball had lesser success with follow up singles, but in the main has concentrated on releasing albums, all of which achieved gold status within weeks, and in the case of The Movies album in 1998, platinum in seven weeks (released 26 October, confirmed platinum status on 12 December). He felt unable to seek help, muddling his own way through. 1 in the weekly "Official" UK Singles Chart, making Moore the oldest person to achieve that position and meaning that he will be at No. Amanda Owen shares family update after sparking concern with black eye, Kirstie Allsopp issues warning to Piers Morgan over Tom Daley post, Michael Ball, 59, has revealed he felt an instant connection the first time he set eyes on Cathy, Michael Ball described the ex-Ready Steady Go presenter as a very powerful woman who has supported and inspired him throughout his successful career, Jamie Lee Curtis announces child is transgender, Michael Ball admits he fell for Cathysstrong nature,however, they did not begin a romantic relationship straight away, Michael Ball pictured with his long-time friend and musical colleague Alfie Boe, Michael Ball's partner Cathy saved singer's life during 'scary' fire, Michael Ball's furious rant about mobile phone use in theatre, Carol Vorderman, 60, suffers bra mishap during Beat The Chasers stint, Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen sparks concern with bikini selfies (PHOTOS), 'Programme's so much more than me' Monty Don hits back at fan claim (NEWS), The ex-girlfriends are not thrilled Prince Harry memoir upset, 10 brilliant things you can do on Cunards new star-studded cruise, Michael Ball hits out at mention of 20-year age gap with partner Cathy, Michael Ball speaks out on why partner stays out of spotlight. Ball has fared well over the past year. At 60 years old, Michael Ball height Alone Together was his one-man show first performed at the Donmar Warehouse (which was reprised in 2004 for the Singular Sensations season at the Haymarket). Michael opened up about this in an unearthed interview where he discussed their relationship. "It's irrelevant. Its just electric, and we needed to hear it. If I hadn't, it might have been some time before it reappeared and the cancer would have been more advanced and potentially more difficult to treat. As an actor, Ball briefly appeared as Malcolm Nuttall in Coronation Street in 1985. Im really hands-on with them and I wouldnt have it any other way. This year, he made Wonderful Wales With Michael Ball, a four-part series for Channel 5, in which he travels through the nation it is part travelogue, part homecoming. The star revealed how he couldnt imagine my life without her. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. It wasnt to last. Promotional activities took place throughout October and November 2007 for these releases including appearances on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Loose Women. It destroyed all my memorabilia - gold records, videos and CDs - and it didnt matter because everyone was all right.. Despite an audience of only 1,000 fewer than half the London Coliseums capacity they did twice the work, Ball says. Michael Bubl has his wife to thank for getting him through one of the worst experiences a parent can endure. Its easy to knock something, he says of the snobbery he has come up against in his career. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Michael Ball on his Wonderful Wales adventure. It saw Ball perform in Ipswich and Northampton before ending his tour in Cardiff. is 180cm . This sees him travelling the country as he meets with interesting people in the weekly show. "Im too old to be a toyboy, and age has never been an issue or thought about. In April 2020, to mark 99-year old Captain Tom Moore completing the first phase of his fundraising walk during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ball sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" for him live on BBC Breakfast. In 2005, with 10 days' notice, he replaced Michael Crawford as Count Fosco in The Woman in White after poor health forced Crawford to give up the role. His father's name is Tony Ball, he was the head of global sales at British Leyland. Their home was on fire back in the early Noughties, and Cathy woke in the early hours and searched the house for Michael, eventually dragging him to safety. Michael has previously opened up about how important their relationship has been to him. He is not dating anyone. Last Name Ball #13. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Michael Ball (Michael Ashley Ball) was born on 27 June, 1962 in Bromsgrove, United Kingdom, is a Broadcaster, actor, singer. 2017Ball and Boe: Back together. David credits seeing his GP as a reason for being alive. He is a member of famous Broadcaster with the age 60 years old group. The pair have been together since 1992 after a chance meeting when she interviewed him when he was part of the cast of the 1989 musical, Apects of Love. Andrew Lloyd Webber. Black wrote the lyrics for this song and the music was composed by John Barry for the film of the same name, Born Free. Michael Ball, 59, and Cathy McGowan, 78, first met when the acclaimed singer was performing in a musical. Michael Ball, 59, and Cathy McGowan, 78, first met when the acclaimed singer was performing in a musical. According to our Database, He has no children. Since 1991, Michael, 59, has been in a relationship with Irish presenter Cathy McGowan, 78. Andrew Bailey took his daughter to the United States for treatment for a brain tumour in 2014. Their cover of "You'll Never Walk Alone" reached number one in the UK Singles Chart on 24 April, not only giving Ball his first chart-topping single at the age of 57, but also making Moore the oldest ever person in history to score a number one hit.