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. He spent the first quarter of 2006 on complete vocal rest, following the illness that caused him to leave The Woman in White on Broadway. Michael Ball was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, on June 27, 1962. He felt unable to seek help, muddling his own way through. Ball appeared in the Royal Variety Performance at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool on 3 December 2007 singing "You Can't Stop the Beat" with the rest of the cast from Hairspray, the musical he was appearing in at the time. He is not dating anyone. On 29 December 2013, Ball was a contestant on a celebrity Christmas edition of Catchphrase. Talking to the Official Charts Company, he said, "It's the most exciting news! And who else are you going to sit and watch the telly in your pants with?. We have estimated Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Michael Ball, 59, and Cathy McGowan, 78, first met when the acclaimed singer was performing in a musical. Lana (far right) had her tumour misdiagnosed by several doctors. On 26 December 2014, Ball starred in Victoria Wood's musical That Day We Sang, reuniting him with his Sweeney Todd co-star Imelda Staunton. There I was onTop of the Pops. From brain cancer to colon cancer, these are the best . . Ball lives with the former presenter of Ready Steady Go!, Cathy McGowan. In September 2005, Ball made his New York City Opera debut as Reginald Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience. The singer then added to the Mirror about how important Cathy has been to him. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. 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. In 2019, Michael toldThe Mirror: Its just not something that we need to do. I could be funny. He was good at mimicking the teachers and doing impressions of things that had been on TV. I cant properly explain it, but I dont mind admitting I suffered a breakdown. This business is hard enough to then be told: its not even viable, go and retrain in IT or whatever, he says. Their relationship has lasted, he says, because we love each other. Elsewhere, Michael has previously opened up on their 20-year age gap. She's a unique, wonderful person," he said in a 2019 interview withExpress.co.uk. Cathy had a brief appearance co-hosting a show with Alexei Sayle and Jonathan Ross in 1991. He has two siblings, a four-year-old brother named Kevin and a ten-year-younger sister Katherine. 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. However, some fans will be keen to know a bit more about his life outside of. Michael Ball's partner Cathy saved singer's life during 'scary' fire[INSIGHT]Michael Ball, 58, hits back at 'toyboy' suggestion with partner, 78[INTERVIEW]Michael Ball teased Harry as he did 'not see enough of his house'[VIDEO]. Towards the end of 2007, Ball recorded his 15th solo album for release on 15 October of that year. The production will open on 10 August 2019, at the Gielgud Theatre and serve as a placeholder while the original West End production of Les Mis at the Queen's Theater is replaced with Cameron Mackintosh's new staging of the show at the renamed Sondheim theatre. "My wife died one week after her 46th birthday in July 2002. Ball is a concert artist: he tours frequently around the United Kingdom and has also performed concerts in Australia and the United States. The DVD also included a brand new "Unplugged" session which Ball recorded especially with four other musicians in the studio. He made his West End debut in 1985 playing Marius Pontmercy in the original London production of Les Misrables, and went on to star in 1987 as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera. Ball likes to say he has never been fashionable so he can never go out of fashion. He was born in England and retains the nationality of the United Kingdom. 10. Cathy came to interview him. They were broadcast in 2016,2017,2019. The pair have been together since 1992 after a chance meeting when she interviewed. The West. Ball is stepfather to McGowans daughter, Emma, and grandfather to Emmas children. These three episodes were combined together to make a special which was then broadcast on BBC One. "Im too old to be a toyboy, and age has never been an issue or thought about. He has twice won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. As his new show, Hairspray, leads the return to theatres, the singer talks about his mental health struggles, going back to his mining-town roots and how the government has let down the performing arts, It is only an hour and a half before curtain-up, and if Michael Ball is feeling a rising panic at the idea of spending this time speaking to me through his iPad, rather than on his usual warmup, he is hiding it well. Michael told the BBC doctors should not be "afraid to think" somebody may have cancer. Michael has previously opened up about how important their relationship has been to him. 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. My life is better with her in it than it would be without her in it. He then appeared as the solo artist in a controversial 'Musical Theatre' Prom on 27 August 2007 for the BBC at London's Royal Albert Hall. "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!". Mountain Ash was a close-knit mining community; Balls uncle was a miner, as was his grandfather. My public life is insane, but once that front door closes I leave that version of myself outside and I just like to relax at home.. In 2010 and 2011, Ball guest presented six episodes of Lorraine for ITV Breakfast. This sees him travelling the country as he meets with interesting people in the weekly show. From October 2007 July 2009, Ball made his West End return starring as Edna Turnblad in the hit musical Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Im really hands-on with them and I wouldnt have it any other way. His concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 19 September 2009 was filmed for DVD release. It was gone the next day and I don't think such things should be ignored so thought I should get it checked by my GP. I have been truly happy, he says. More info. Speaking to Platinum Magazine, he hit back at the suggestion he could be called a toyboy. The concert is being broadcast on radio 2 on the 5th January 2020. 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. He said: After Ready Steady Go!, Cath made a conscious decision to walk away from public life. He also explained how he doesnt really think about their 19-year age gap either. More info. Im really proud of so much of what Ive been able to do., Balls mother was a teacher, and his father was an apprentice at the Longbridge car plant who worked his way up and became a sales director, which meant the family moved around a lot, including three years spent in South Africa. "I just love her. That was my thing. His teacher at the Surrey County Youth Theatre suggested he apply for drama school. The show aired on Sunday mornings between 11a.m. and 1p.m. until September 2011, latterly sharing its time slot with Weekend Wogan presented by Terry Wogan. It was a sporty school, and I wasnt. The BBC Concert Orchestra provided the orchestral backing for Ball on both songs for this performance. Shes simply not interested in any of that anymore.. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. He had been ill with glandular fever and, though he went back to work after about six weeks, he was exhausted. At 60 years old, Michael Ball height His next important role came when Cameron Mackintosh cast him as Marius in the original London cast of Les Misrables, but he caught glandular fever and he took six or seven weeks off sick to recover from the associated tonsillitis and post-viral fatigue. 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. Although, the singer claimed this wasnt through a lack of offers. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Speakingabouthis first meeting with Cathy, Michael said: Cathy came into my life when I was doingAspects of Love. She was that generous, outgoing, embracing, wise woman who youd go to if you had a problem. Amazing!"[3]. You can unsubscribe at any time. He took a leading role in Kismet in June and July 2007 for the ENO, and appeared on Channel 4's Richard & Judy on 22 June 2007 to promote this production. I just withdrew. Ball left the show, spent about nine months virtually housebound and thought he would never work again. Im godfather to both of them. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. His mother's name is Ruth Ball. As a student he went busking on Saturdays in Guildford town with a female student friend to earn a little extra money. First Name Michael. Express. Read about our approach to external linking. It was gone the next day and I don't think such things should be ignored so thought I should get it checked by my GP. The crooner recently opened up about why this was in an unearthed chat. Ruth Ball, a Welsh mother, and Tony Ball, an English father, had a son named Michael Ball. He explained: "It was a really scary thing. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Despite an audience of only 1,000 fewer than half the London Coliseums capacity they did twice the work, Ball says. Ball was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 Birthday Honours for his services to musical theatre. So its hard for her that she happens to have a partner in the public eye.. He continued: Not a week goes by without someone new approaching her with an idea for a show based on the Sixties and she always and absolutely turns them down. Get the details, Meet Escape to the Country star Nicki Chapman's husband, Holly Willoughby gives hilarious insight into marriage with Dan Baldwin, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield explain why they can't hug despite restrictions lifting. Andrew Bailey took his daughter to the United States for treatment for a brain tumour in 2014. Cancers. In 1992, Ball represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing second with the song "One Step Out of Time". Thank you so much for supporting the album, to the fans who've connected with it and bought it. Im certainly not Mr Showbiz. Michael opened up about this in an unearthed interview where he discussed their relationship. It will be only the second performance of Hairspray, in which Ball plays the matriarch Edna Turnblad, and he is still on a high from opening night. Ball has fared well over the past year. 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. TheWest Endstar described the ex-Ready Steady Go presenter as a very powerful woman who has supported and inspired him throughout his successful career. When speaking to the Daily Mail back in 2013, he admitted she wasnt interested in fame. Its been a long time.. Michael Ball's birthstone is Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite. 60 Year Old Actor #30. 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. They met around 1989 when she was an entertainment reporter for a BBC London magazine show and interviewed him during rehearsals for Aspects of Love. Ball embarked on an extensive British tour during March and April 2007. I could be very entertaining. Should there have been more financial support? He toured the United Kingdom with an orchestra and five West End stars, (Louise Clare Marshall, Louise Dearman, Emma Williams, Adrian Hansel and Ben James-Ellis), in the autumn, celebrating 25 years in the music industry. It still sticks in my throat. 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 performed a number of summer concerts, including the Hampton Court Music Festival on 14 June 2008. 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. He is currently single. I was depressed, destructive and unfocused, and she made my life better.. 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. Michael Ball's net worth: Michael Ball is a hero, who has attained over $15 million. You get to the other side, and you learn of the vulnerability of all of us. Ball appeared on a number of television and radio programmes to promote the album. Ball has also turned his hand to presenting both on TV and radio. Michael Ball, 58, has blasted those who bring up the age gap between him and his partner Cathy McGowan, 78. In February 2013, Ball released his album "Both Sides Now" featuring the song "Fight the Fight" from Tim Rice's new musical From Here to Eternity. His first regular show on Radio 2 was Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch in 2008, replacing Michael Parkinson whose show Parkinson's Sunday Supplement had ended the previous year. Michael Ball (Michael Ashley Ball) was born on 27 June, 1962 in Bromsgrove, United Kingdom, is a Broadcaster, actor, singer. A new compilation album entitled Michael Ball: The Silver Collection was released in July 2007, along with the DVD version of his 1995 film England My England. Cathy even once saved Michael's life after rescuing him from a burning building. Mike was at home at the time of his passing, with his dog Murphy at his left sid 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. Shed gone on to work on the BBC show Newsroom South East as an entertainment journalist. Wonderful Wales With Michael Ball starts on Friday 9 July at 8pm on Channel 5. As an actor, Ball briefly appeared as Malcolm Nuttall in Coronation Street in 1985. He met the Ready Steady Go! Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 58 years old? Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. I couldnt imagine my life without her," he said. His zodiac sign is Cancer, and he is of white ethnicity. Balls solo album went to No 2, not No 1 as we originally said, and the governments Cyber First campaign, suggesting ballet dancers could retrain in tech, was launched in 2019, not 2020. Michael also recently opened up on life with Cathy in a chat with Platinum Magazine. Michael Ashley Ball, OBE (born 27 June 1962) is an English actor, singer and radio broadcaster. Ive always been pretty good at making friends quickly, so wherever we would go, I would find people to latch on to, he says. The album features songs all written by Burt Bacharach and is entitled Back to Bacharach. Michael Ball lost his wife to cancer and believes doctors should be bolder in accepting the potential for cancer being present in a patient. "I noticed one morning that I had blood in my urine. However, while Cathy was a prolific BBC journalist and presenter at the time, she has since stepped back from the public eye. Michael Ball is set to join Alan Titchmarsh on Alan Titchmarsh: Spring into Summer, but how much do you know about the talented singer behind the cameras? Having not been out of the house much for a year, to suddenly be travelling all over the most glorious country, meeting amazing people, doing all this stuff and going on a personal journey, it was He smiles. The hard work has been worth it and this is just the icing on the cake. Theatres, and the whole ecosystem around them, have been devastated by the pandemic. Shes done it all. Its just electric, and we needed to hear it. This began a run of top 20 albums released over the next two decades. Its been a long time., The culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, was there; he was photographed with Ball who was, in Ednas pearls, handbag and wig, almost Thatcherite looking delighted. When we met we had an instant connection, he added. () It was Frankie McGowan - at 47 the baby sister of the McGowan family - who had delivered the news. Pearls suggest chastity, modesty and stable marriage relationships. Life is so surprising. She really encouraged that creativity in all of us as kids we had this amazing dressing-up box, so we could create costumes and plays.. Michael Ball's birth flower is Rose. 2023 BBC. 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. 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]. Find Dr. Ball's phone number, address, hospital affiliations and more. I couldnt imagine my life without her." But many in the arts are freelancers so theyre left high and dry; theyre not furloughed. She came to interview me. More info. Michael Ball on Eurovision offer from BBC, Ever since 1992, Michael has been in a relationship with Cathy McGowan, He met the Ready Steady Go! Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, West Africans to leave Tunisia after race row, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Fire knocks out half of Argentina's power grid. Its all very well opening theatres, but if theres nothing to put into them, whats the point? We get each other., Someone comes into the room to call him for makeup, and he waves cheerily at them. By Richard Irvine-Brown, Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. He graduated in 1984. After speeches from Cameron Mackintosh, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schnberg, the performance concluded with pupils from school productions of Les Misrables entering the arena. 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