Michael Ball
27th June 1962
Show History:
Current Role
Ball is currently starring as Edna Turnblad in the UK tour of smash-hit West End musical Hairspray.Early Life
Ball was born in 1962 in Broomsgrove, Worcestershire. He studied at Plymouth College boarding school and went on to train at Guildford School of Acting graduating in 1984.Career Highlights
Ball represented Great Britain in the annual Eurovision Song Contest (1992) performing One Step Out of Time to 600 million people worldwide. He was also invited to perform for the Queen at Her Majesty's 40th Anniversary Gala and at The Royal Variety Show.Ball has starred in many shows and has played the roles of Marius in Les Miserables London, Alex in Aspects of Love in London and New York and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2002). He also hit the West End as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray and is currently starring as the loveable housewife in the UK tour of the show.
Interesting Facts
- Michael Ball is a huge supporter of RoC (Research into Ovarian Cancer)
- He had his own show aired on ITV in 1993 under the name of The Michael Ball Show
- As a result of a parachute accident more than 10 years ago, Michael Ball had to undergo 2 years of surgery
Awards
- Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love reached No.1 in the UK singles chart in 1989
- Awarded Most Promising Artist of 1989 by the Variety Club of Great Britain
- Represented Great Britain in the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest narrowly missing out on first place
- His debut solo album Michael Ball reached No.1 in UK album chart in 1992
- Awarded 8 Gold Discs in his ongoing and illustrious career
- Awarded first Platinum Disc for The Movies in 1999
- Received Variety Club Award for Best Recording Artist of 1998
- Theatregoer's Club of Great Britain Award for Most Popular Musical Stage Actor
