FIRST IMPRESSIONS: MICHAEL BALL
What are you working on?
I release a new album on 25 February. I’ll then be starting my UK tour in the middle of April and I’ve just returned to my show on Radio 2. I love it; it’s nice to be back.
When were you at your happiest?
I had a moment of bliss last summer with my 50th birthday present, which was from my partner, Cathy. The family went to a house in Provence as a surprise for me. We’d taken two weeks off while I was doing Sweeney Todd, and I’d earned the rest, and it was lovely to be surrounded by my family. I just felt really proud, happy and content.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting really ill.
What is your earliest memory?
This is a weird one. I don’t know why, but it’s seeing Winston Churchill’s funeral on the television, a black and white one, in 1965. I was born in 1962 so I would have been about three and a half and for some reason, that’s in my head. I just remember seeing this image of the cortège in really grainy black and white in this house that we lived in. I was actually later told by a psychic that Winston Churchill was my spirit guide.
Who has been your greatest influence?
It’s really hard. Cathy has a huge influence on me. What do you most dislike about yourself? I sometimes lack willpower, and I beat myself up about it. It’s weird; it’s one of those things. I have a massive amount of willpower in certain areas. I guess it’s a lack of focus, that’s a better one.
What is your most treasured possession?
About 10 years ago, we had a fire in our house and I lost all of that memorabilia, gold discs and records and special videos and photos. But it was all fine, so I realised that these things don’t matter so much. Maybe my dogs, but they’re not a possession. I wear, and I’ve always worn since she died, my grandmother’s wedding ring.
What trait do you most abhor in others?
Incompetence. It sounds like a nasty thing to say but I can’t bear incompetence. Or laziness.
Do you have a fantasy address?
We need to split our time – we’d love the house where we stayed in Provence, or a house in Holland Park, with off street parking. Although I like where I am, actually – I live in Barnes. But I know where I’d really like to live: White Lodge in Richmond Park, that’s my fantasy address.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
That every year it seems to get older and bigger.
What is your all-time favourite book, and why?
That’s really difficult, I read a lot. One that I read when I was young, Watership Down. It’s beautiful.
What is your favourite film?
I love Bullets Over Broadway; a great, great film. Very funny and such a good insight into backstage life.
What is your favourite record or piece of music?
Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark.
What is your favourite meal?
The Great British Roast. Lamb, but you absolutely have to have Yorkshires, crackling and mint.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I would like my gran; I would love to see her again. I’d cook roast, she’d love it.
Which historical character do you most admire?
Elizabeth I. She was just a giant among men, and the fact that she was a woman playing what was an unbelievable political game in a man’s world, and succeeded. She put the great in Great Britain and was one of the most charismatic figures in history.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
Frank Rich, the New York Times critic, I think he said I looked like a renegade from the Von Trapp family of singers.
Do you believe in aliens?
I am one!
What is your secret vice?
I can’t tell you, it’s secret.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Usually, yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Darling.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
A lottery win. The EuroMillions – though it needs to be significant.
What would you like your epitaph to be?
‘The world was a better place for having him in it.’
Michael’s new album, Both Sides Now, is out on 25 February and his UK concert tour will run from 15 April to 10 May.
I release a new album on 25 February. I’ll then be starting my UK tour in the middle of April and I’ve just returned to my show on Radio 2. I love it; it’s nice to be back.
When were you at your happiest?
I had a moment of bliss last summer with my 50th birthday present, which was from my partner, Cathy. The family went to a house in Provence as a surprise for me. We’d taken two weeks off while I was doing Sweeney Todd, and I’d earned the rest, and it was lovely to be surrounded by my family. I just felt really proud, happy and content.
What is your greatest fear?
Getting really ill.
What is your earliest memory?
This is a weird one. I don’t know why, but it’s seeing Winston Churchill’s funeral on the television, a black and white one, in 1965. I was born in 1962 so I would have been about three and a half and for some reason, that’s in my head. I just remember seeing this image of the cortège in really grainy black and white in this house that we lived in. I was actually later told by a psychic that Winston Churchill was my spirit guide.
Who has been your greatest influence?
It’s really hard. Cathy has a huge influence on me. What do you most dislike about yourself? I sometimes lack willpower, and I beat myself up about it. It’s weird; it’s one of those things. I have a massive amount of willpower in certain areas. I guess it’s a lack of focus, that’s a better one.
What is your most treasured possession?
About 10 years ago, we had a fire in our house and I lost all of that memorabilia, gold discs and records and special videos and photos. But it was all fine, so I realised that these things don’t matter so much. Maybe my dogs, but they’re not a possession. I wear, and I’ve always worn since she died, my grandmother’s wedding ring.
What trait do you most abhor in others?
Incompetence. It sounds like a nasty thing to say but I can’t bear incompetence. Or laziness.
Do you have a fantasy address?
We need to split our time – we’d love the house where we stayed in Provence, or a house in Holland Park, with off street parking. Although I like where I am, actually – I live in Barnes. But I know where I’d really like to live: White Lodge in Richmond Park, that’s my fantasy address.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
That every year it seems to get older and bigger.
What is your all-time favourite book, and why?
That’s really difficult, I read a lot. One that I read when I was young, Watership Down. It’s beautiful.
What is your favourite film?
I love Bullets Over Broadway; a great, great film. Very funny and such a good insight into backstage life.
Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark.
What is your favourite meal?
The Great British Roast. Lamb, but you absolutely have to have Yorkshires, crackling and mint.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
I would like my gran; I would love to see her again. I’d cook roast, she’d love it.
Which historical character do you most admire?
Elizabeth I. She was just a giant among men, and the fact that she was a woman playing what was an unbelievable political game in a man’s world, and succeeded. She put the great in Great Britain and was one of the most charismatic figures in history.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
Frank Rich, the New York Times critic, I think he said I looked like a renegade from the Von Trapp family of singers.
Do you believe in aliens?
I am one!
What is your secret vice?
I can’t tell you, it’s secret.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Usually, yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Darling.
What single thing would improve your quality of life?
A lottery win. The EuroMillions – though it needs to be significant.
What would you like your epitaph to be?
‘The world was a better place for having him in it.’
Michael’s new album, Both Sides Now, is out on 25 February and his UK concert tour will run from 15 April to 10 May.