Michael Ball
Michael Ball is Britain’s leading musical theatre star, Olivier Award winner, multi-platinum recording artist and popular TV host and radio presenter.
Since making his West End debut 25 years ago as Marius in the original production of Les Miserables, Michael has created a string of leading characters in the West End and on Broadway in shows such as Aspects of Love, Passion, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Phantom of the Opera, Woman In White and Hairspray.
I am so delighted to be back on Radio 2 with a brand new show. I want to share with listeners my love of music regardless of its age, genre and style. I just want it to be entertaining.Michael Ball
He made his debut with the New York City Opera in 2005 in their production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience and with the English National Opera in 2007 in their production of ‘Kismet’.
His showstopping performance as Edna Turnblad in the West End production of Hairspray earned him the whatsonstage.com award and Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2008.
As associate producer and lead actor in the 2010/2011 touring production of Hairspray, Michael reprised his role as Edna across the UK and Ireland.
In 2010 Michael also hosted his own ITV talk show 'The Michael Ball Show', with guests including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Whoopi Goldberg and JLS.
In 2011 he performed in Hairspray for the last time before going on to star in Sweeney Todd with Imelda Staunton as Mrs Lovett. For this role he recently won the Broadway World Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.
Michael is a familiar face at Radio 2, having presented Michael Ball's Sunday Bunch from 2008 to 2011. Michael also continues to record and tour the UK as one of it's most beloved performers.