Biography

Michael and Freddie

Michael was born in the West Midlands on 27 June 1962. He trained at the Guildford School of Acting and graduated in 1984. His first professional appearance was in Godspell in Wales. His first major break was a star part in the production of The Pirates of Penzance at the Opera House, Manchester.

Michael's West End debut followed in Les Miserables, which was swiftly followed by Phantom Of The Opera and Aspects Of Love.

In May 1992 Michael represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song One Step Out Of Time. He finished in second place.

Following his success in Eurovision, Michael undertook several major tours of the U.K., followed by The Michael Ball Show, his own TV show.

Michael's success then continued with a successful run in the show Passion at the Queens Theatre in London, followed by another UK tour.

1997 saw Michael perform at two open air concerts at Bedford and Barnstaple, and he also toured again in the Autumn culminating in an 11 night season at the Blackpool Opera House.

In 1998 Michael performed in several concerts, including open air at the Chelmsford Spectacular and with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Liverpool Summer Pops Concerts. He also released the album "The Movies".

1999 was another very hectic year for Michael, being voted the Royal Variety Club's Best Recording Artist in February and undertaking a UK tour in March/April followed by his first solo concert outside the UK at the Theatre Carre in Amsterdam. He then proceeded to appear at open air concerts at Hampton Court, Castle Howard, Glamis Castle and Longleat before finishing his tour in September in Belfast and Dublin.

Michael at Dress Circle

2000, and the turn of the century saw Michael performaing in Malaysia. He then appeared as a guest star at a Michael Le Grand concert in February. He undertook a full UK tour in September.October and released a new album "This Time It's Personal".

2001 saw Michael continue his busy schedule. He performed in concerts at Harrogate, Liverpool, Audley End and Chelmsford, as well as performing a sell-out season at the Donmar Warehouse in London. "Centre Stage" - a collection of songs from musicals was released on 17 September and to round off the year he played several concert dates.

2002 saw Michael concentrating on his role as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as well as perform at 3 outdoor concerts in the summer. Michael continued in this role throughout the first half of 2003. In October Michael released his album "A Love Story" and undertook a highly successful nationwide UK tour.

2004 was another busy year for Michael. He completed a hugely successful Australian tour, and scored a resounding success performing the role of Joe Gillis opposite Petula Clark in a concert version of Sunset Boulevard in Cork for BBC Radio 2. In May he performed at the Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City, United States of America. In September he performed his one man show "Alone Together" at the Singular Sensations season at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and then went on to perform in front of the Queen and President Jacques Chirac at Windsor Castle where he played the role of Jean Valjean in "Les Miserables".

Michael continued his hectic schedule in 2005, performing the role of Count Fosco in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Woman In White" in London and then undertaking a full UK tour in May/June. He then left the UK for New York, where he played the role of Reginald Bunthorne in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience" for the New York City Opera. To finish off the year he reprised the role of Count Fosco for the Broadway production of "Woman In White".

2006 saw Michael performing outdoor summer concerts, appearing in an Anthony Newley tribute concert for BBC Radio 2 and a new album "One Voice" released in October.

2007 continued to be busy, with a full UK tour in March/April, recording another series of Ball Over Broadway for BBC Radio 2, winning £64000 for charity on "Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire?" and performing at several open air concerts including the Faenol Festival. Michael appeared with the English National Opera in it's summer production of Kismet, and then made history by appearing in his own "Prom" at the BBC Proms Festival at the Royal Albert Hall. The second half of the year has proved to be equally busy, with the release of his CD "Back To Bacharach", his DVD "One Voice - One Special Night Live", culminating with the wonderful triumph of playing Edna in the musical Hairspray - a role that he is continuing with until October 2008.

2008 has been yet another busy year for Michael, continuing in the role of Edna in Hairspray and performing at concerts at Hampton Court, Liverpool, Kenwood House, Audley End and Patchings Art Centre. In March Michael won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. Michael then added another string to his bow by joining the BBC Radio 2 team for his regular Sunday morning slot "Michael Ball's Sunday Brunch".