Michael Ball

Michael Ball is a British actor, singer, radio presenter and television presenter from Bromsgrove, United Kingdom. Born in 1962, he studies drama at the Guildford School of Acting and graduates in 1984.

Musical theatre career

Ball becomes best known for musical theatre roles. His first major break comes in The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House in Manchester, followed by work in rep. Cameron Mackintosh casts him as Marius in Les Misérables, and he later plays Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Alex in Aspects of Love, Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim's Passion, and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

He also appears in The Woman in White as Count Fosco, stepping in at short notice, and performs in Sunset Boulevard with Petula Clark at Cork Opera House. He makes his New York City Opera debut as Reginald Bunthorne in Patience.

Recording and performing

Ball is a dramatic baritone known for his range, expression and power. He has a concert career and tours frequently around the UK, as well as performing in Australia and the United States. His chart success includes Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love, and he concentrates mainly on albums, which achieve Gold status within weeks. The Movies reaches Platinum status in 1998, and Music enters the UK chart at number 11.

He records One Voice and appears as a guest on Julian Lloyd Webber's album Unexpected Song. He also records and performs in concert material that spans musicals, love songs, personal favourites, party numbers and unplugged arrangements.

Broadcasting and public appearances

Ball represents the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992 with “One Step Out of Time”, finishing second. He also presents on television and radio, including The National Lottery, Children in Need, This Morning, Ball over Broadway on BBC Radio 2, and The Greenroom. He presents specials for BBC Radio 2 on Nat King Cole, Cameron Mackintosh and Cy Coleman, and stands in for Michael Parkinson and Johnnie Walker on Radio 2.

Other performances include the BBC's St David's Day concert, the Les Misérables Tenth Anniversary Concert, Andrew Lloyd Webber's fiftieth birthday party, and Proms in the Park in Swansea.

Style and background

Ball is half Welsh and jokingly describes himself as “Wenglish”. His work is associated with classic pop and rock as well as musical theatre.