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. I dont know that Im particularly easy to live with. There's been no evidence of the disease for a year.". Michael said: I was in a bad place when we first met. Michael opened up about this in an unearthed interview where he discussed their relationship. 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. 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. "My wife died one week after her 46th birthday in July . Promotional activities took place throughout October and November 2007 for these releases including appearances on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Loose Women. Michael also recently opened up on life with Cathy in a chat with Platinum Magazine. 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. Ive never heard an ovation like it for the cast. So its hard for her that she happens to have a partner in the public eye.. He knows people might have thought about him: Oh, he just breezes along, its all absolutely marvellous. No, thats my act, thats what I do to survive. I remember she came to interview me [for the musical Aspects Of Love] and at first we were friends and then it was more than that. In 1984, after he had left drama school, Ball's first part was in Godspell at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, after which he worked for a few months in rep in Basingstoke, but his first major break was a star part in the production of The Pirates of Penzance at Manchester Opera House; at an open audition he was selected from about 600 applicants who formed a queue to do singing, acting, and dancing interviews, which were held in three separate rooms. This article was amended on 29 June 2021 to correct two errors introduced during the production process. The pair don't share any children, but Michael is stepfather to Cathy's daughter from her first marriage, Emma. When he played Edna in the first run, for which he won the first of his two Olivier awards in 2008, his mother and uncle came to the show, and when they saw me, they cried because I look like her. By the middle of July, Ball had taken part in the Royal Court Theatre's celebratory performance of The Rocky Horror Show. Black wrote the lyrics for this song and the music was composed by John Barry for the film of the same name, Born Free. Discover Michael Ball's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. My life is better with her in it than it would be without her in it. More info. 2023 BBC. Ever since 1992, Michael has been in a relationship with Cathy McGowan, 78. He got a place at Guildford School of Acting, and I found my tribe. 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I was depressed, destructive and unfocused, and she made my life better.. It still sticks in my throat. 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. 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. According to our Database, He has no children. A Blu-ray and DVD version of the 2010 broadcast was released in November 2010 in the UK and in North America in February 2011. After his graduation, Ball's singing career rapidly got off the ground. 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! ', Michael Ball, 58, is well-known as a singing sensation, 'Is it career suicide?' Were on a journey that does this [he makes an up and down motion with his hand] all the way through it. I think its because, as a family, we moved around a lot and I didnt feel rooted properly. Suddenly it was: This is what Im meant to be doing. He loved performing, being somebody else. Michael Ball lost his wife to cancer and believes doctors should be bolder in accepting the potential for cancer being present in a patient. In 2010, Ball presented 30 episodes of The Michael Ball Show, his own daytime series for ITV. He was born in Worcestershire, England, and attended the Guildford School of Acting . The pair don't share any children, but Michael is stepfather to Cathy's daughter from her first marriage, Emma. Michael has often raved over Cathy in previous interviews, describing her as a "unique and wonderful person" inside and out. Lil died a long time ago, but Ball met people who remembered her. "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! No one wants to hear me being miserable, so thats not what I do. He was born in England and still has British nationality. Read about our approach to external linking. Ive always been pretty good at making friends quickly, so wherever we would go, I would find people to latch on to, he says. 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. She was that generous, outgoing, embracing, wise woman who youd go to if you had a problem. Shes simply not interested in any of that anymore.. Help her live as normal a life as possible. His latest album Coming Home To You reached number One in the UK making it his 4th number one album to date. We get each other., Someone comes into the room to call him for makeup, and he waves cheerily at them. 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. "My wife died one week after her 46th. At 60 years old, Michael Ball height 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. Mountain Ash was a close-knit mining community; Balls uncle was a miner, as was his grandfather. In 1985, he made his West End debut as Marius Pontmercy in the first London production of Les Misrables. 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 2010 and 2011, Ball guest presented six episodes of Lorraine for ITV Breakfast. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Lana (far right) had her tumour misdiagnosed by several doctors. 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. He joined a youth theatre, which led to his studying drama at Guildford School of Acting, where he found an environment that suited him. He is from British. () It was Frankie McGowan - at 47 the baby sister of the McGowan family - who had delivered the news. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Michael Ball was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, England, on June 27, 1962. She came to interview me. They met when McGowan, a former TV presenter, interviewed him when he was appearing in Lloyd-Webbers Aspects of Love, and have been together for 30 years. Pearls suggest chastity, modesty and stable marriage relationships. Week after week we were told 'It's just a virus', 'It's just a virus'. He was born in England and retains the nationality of the United Kingdom. A disregard for the cultural and financial value the arts bring to the country seemed to have been revealed the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, implied that people should retrain for jobs in other sectors, and a 2019 campaign advising, among other things, that a professional ballet dancer could get a job in tech, resurfaced. On 29 March 2019, the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart. As part of the role, she interviewed Michael for his musical and the pair struck up a relationship in the 1990s. A trouper. Michael Ball's birthstone is Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite. He continued to discuss aspects of their relationship, adding: "Every night is a date night with Cathy! But when the couple'sage difference croppedup into conversation,he pointed out how it would not be spoken about as frequentlyif he was the olderone in their relationship. TheWest Endstar described the ex-Ready Steady Go presenter as a very powerful woman who has supported and inspired him throughout his successful career. () It was Frankie McGowan - at 47 the baby sister of the McGowan family - who had delivered the news. "Im too old to be a toyboy, and age has never been an issue or thought about. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Ball took a trip to his old home in Plymouth before embarking on the final leg of his tour. READ MORE:Michael Ball reveals why he has never married his long-time partner. I think Im quite nice. Michael said: "Every night is a date night with Cathy! Cathy even once saved Michael's life after rescuing him from a burning building. Michael Balls income source is mostly from being a successful Broadcaster. 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. 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! In 1998 Ball performed at three big concerts: The Fiftieth Birthday Concert of Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Royal Albert Hall (released on DVD), Sondheim Tonight at the Barbican Centre (released on CD) and Hey, Mr. Producer: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (released on CD and DVD). They have long been a symbol of purity. He is the son of Tony Ball, who was the head of global sales for British Leyland Ball, and Ruth Ball, his mother. "Im too old to be a toyboy, and age has never been an issue or thought about. Michael Ball hits out at mention of 20-year age gap with partner Cathy, Michael Ball is back performing in Hairspray, Michael Ball to perform on star-studded Canaries cruise, Michael Ball's furious rant about mobile phone use in theatre, 10 brilliant things you can do on Cunards new star-studded cruise, Michael Ball reveals why he has never married his long-time partner, Michael Ball's partner Cathy saved singer's life during 'scary' fire, Michael Ball, 58, hits back at 'toyboy' suggestion with partner, 78, Michael Ball teased Harry as he did 'not see enough of his house', 'Is it career suicide?' 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. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. In 2010 Ball took part in the BBC Cymru Wales programme Coming Home about his Welsh family history. And who else are you going to sit and watch the telly in your pants with?. Speakingabouthis first meeting with Cathy, Michael said: Cathy came into my life when I was doingAspects of Love. These also started happening at other times, such as when he was going to work. Ive never heard an ovation like it for the cast. Im really hands-on with them and I wouldnt have it any other way. "I just love her. I have been truly happy, he says. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Im very aware of it, he says. However, has stayed out of the spotlight since then, which Micheal has previously opened up about. So to then be working with him, it was the dream come true.. 10. Michael Ashley Ball, OBE (born 27 June 1962) is an English actor, singer and radio broadcaster. "I remember she came to interview me [for the musical Aspects Of Love] and at first we were friends and then it was more than that. Mike was at home at the time of his passing, with his dog Murphy at his left sid We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. 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. Speaking to Platinum Magazine, he hit back at the suggestion he could be called a toyboy. Michael Ball is returning to screens tonight with another edition of his documentary series called Michael Ball's Wonderful Wales. Ball lives with the former presenter of Ready Steady Go!, Cathy McGowan. Yes, I do if it comes down to the crunch. Michael Ball, 59, and Cathy McGowan, 78, first met when the acclaimed singer was performing in a musical. From brain cancer to colon cancer, these are the best . Good communication with your wife is the most important part of your role as husband/caregiver. We met 30 years ago now and shes incredibly cool, and the reason that were still together is that were understanding of each other, were respectful and we like each other. If you wish to change your mind and would like to stop receiving communications from hellomagazine.com, you can revoke your consent by clicking on "unsubscribe" in the footer of the newsletter. You get to the other side, and you learn of the vulnerability of all of us. She would say I was a simple, complicated man, he says. 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. "I just love her. 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. 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? It wasnt to last. Michael Ball is returning to screens tonight with another edition of his documentary series called Michael Ball's Wonderful Wales. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Since 1991, Michael, 59, has been in a relationship with Irish presenter Cathy McGowan, 78. They were up, and there was cheering and screaming. 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. 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. What would McGowan say about him? 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. Its the title of a song on his latest album, which he wrote. His zodiac sign is Cancer, and he is of white ethnicity. He sang three tracks from his latest album, Since You've Been Gone; "Home" and "One Voice", as well as two duets with Clark. is 180cm . Ball likes to say he has never been fashionable so he can never go out of fashion. You can unsubscribe at any time. Ball has also turned his hand to presenting both on TV and radio. NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has offered guidelines aimed at speeding up cancer diagnoses in England. Michael is currently hosting a Channel 5 series called Wonderful Wales. Family - who had delivered the news does this [ he makes an up down... 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