There is a new interview with Michael in the Daily Mail. It has some interesting news about the ratings of Michael's chat show, which are brilliant. Furthermore he talks about his upcoming album and the tour and last but not least about Cathy. Hope you will enjoy it.

Find it here.

The first celebrity guests on Michael's chat show posted:15/08/2010

Don't forget to watch ITV1 tomorrow at 3pm for Michael's first chat show. Read here, who his first guests will be:

Monday, 16 August 2010: Katie Price and Les Dennis

Tuesday, 17 August 2010: Katie Derham, Russ Abbott, The Saturdays

Wednesday, 18 August 2010: Bernard Crippins, Joanna Lumley, Adam Garcia

Thursday, 19 August 2010: Christopher Biggins, Jennie McAlpine

Friday, 20 August 2010: Konnie Huq, Omid Djalili

Monday, 23 August: Colin and Justin, Jimi Mistry, Ellie Goulding

Michael will be singing during the first Monday show and on Friday, 20 August.

UPDATE 22/08/10:

Find the guests for the following weeks on our Michael Ball Show page.

Interesting Interviews posted:11/08/10

As you all know by now Michael starts recordings of his own TV chat show today. They will be aired from next week on and therefore you should have your eyes on the TV magazines for mentions and interviews with Michael.

We will try and post them all here. The first one you can find on the The TV Choice website. Have a look and enjoy.

Update 13/08/10:

The Sun
Chinese Website

Update 22/08/10:

TalkTalk
What'sOnTV
Contact Music
iStockAnalyst
Daily Record
totstotravel blog
Digital Spy
The Northern Echo
ATV News Network
TV Guide
Kiddicare.com
The Saturdays.co.uk
WalesOnline

Update 26/08/10:

BargainTheatre.com (on Cameron Mackintosh at the MB Show)

TV News and Charity Concert posted:08/08/10

To promote his upcoming TV show Michael will be making some appearances on telly. For now we know about these two:

The One Show, BBC1, Friday 13 August, 7 pm

This Morning, ITV1, Monday 16 August, 10:30 am

Furthermore, we are delighted to let you all know that Michael will give a very special charity concert in aid of the Shooting Star Children's Hospice. It will be held at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London (where he first appeared in as Alex in Aspects of Love) on Sunday 10 October. Tickets are priced between 65£ and 75£ and are available at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and Platinum Package deals at Ticketmaster.

More TV News posted:13/05/10

Thanks to the Fan Club we can tell you that Michael will be on TV twice today (13 May):

BBC One South Today at 6:30 pm and on ITV Wales, The Wales Show, at 11:05 pm.

TV Clip: STV's The Hour posted:29/04/10

Michael Ball and Les Dennis have been interviewed on STV's "The Hour". You can see the video clip either using Windows Media Player or via Youtube. Be aware that the video clip is rather huge and will take some time to download.

TV Appearances posted:28/04/10

Some TV news to mark in the diary:

Thursday 29 April: "The Hour", STV, 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Thursday 13 May: "The Wales Show", ITV Wales, 11:05 pm.

Enjoy!

The Stage Podcast posted:16/04/10

We are still catching up with the news. Sorry to be a bit late with this. Michael gave an interview to The Stage wich is available as a download from iTunes or as MP3 file. Check out their website to hear what he has to say about Edna and being a producer.

Michael talking about Stephen Sondheim posted:29/03/10

We just got the heads up for a piece taken from the Guardian. Michael speaks in depth about Stephen Sondheim. Describing what makes him so special and why he enjoys his work so much. Be sure to read it.

Movie Toons Clip posted:28/03/10

After Michael's appearance on Movie Toons we just uploaded the video of his interpretation of "The Bare Necessities". It may take some time to open.

MPEG 4 File (works on my computer with the QuickTime Player)

WMV File (Windows Media Player)

YouTube

Michael Mentions posted:26/03/10

Wales Online released an interview with Michael's Tour Wilbur Les Dennis which is full of wonderful quotes about working on Hairspray and with Michael. Also there is a little video on the upcoming Hairspray opening in Cardiff. Visit their website for the video and interview, which also can be found on our Interview pages.

BBC Radio Wales Interview posted:25/03/10

Nichola Heywood Thomas interviewed Michael for the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show. This will be aired today, on Thursday 25 March at 6:30 pm. When you are in the UK you can listen to the interview by clicking on the player embedded on the BBC's Blog .

This is what it says:

Michael Ball dons his fatsuit and frock to reprise his role as Edna Turnblad in the hit musical Hairspray at Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre from the end of March.

The West End star told me he's moving into the realms of production (or over to the dark side as he put it) when I interviewed him for the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show.

Michael's a singer with a massive fan base, platinum and gold albums and a string of musical theatre successes to his name.

He told me he'd loved Hairspray so much when he saw it on Broadway and was so keen to get the part of Edna when the show first opened in London that he went along with every other hopeful to audition for the part.

Now, fair play, many other performers with over 20 years' experience might have thought themselves too grand to do that!

You can hear the complete interview with Michael on the Radio Wales Arts Show on Thursday 25 March.

Loose Women posted:22/03/10

Guess what: we managed to upload a video of the "Loose Women" interview from this afternoon.It seems picture and sound are not 100 % synchron. Sorry for that. Will try to improve that tomorrow, but just to let you see it: Let's have a try:

TV News and Shrek Rumour posted:19/03/10

UPDATE (21/03/10): Gill and Maureen from the Fan Club have talked to Michael's management. Shrek is not on, Sweeney still is. Phew.

Michael will be making an appearance at ITV1's Loose Women on Monday 22 March. The show is on between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. Enjoy!

Also there is an article by Baz Bamigboye in the Mail Online about Michael being rumoured as a possible candidate to play Shrek in the musical production of the famous movie about a friendly green ogre. But read for yourselves:

Guess who's having a Ball with Shrek as movie musical makes its way to the stage...

Michael Ball is in the early stages of negotiations to play the title role in the musical Shrek, which is expected to head this way next year. The show had a short-lived run on Broadway, but the producers have always believed it would fare better here. Jeffrey Katzenberg, the DreamWorks animation chief behind the film and the show, told me the Shrek movies and DVDs have always been immensely popular in the UK, and for that reason he believes the stage show will do well here, too.

When I saw it in New York, it looked fantastic, and had some incredible illusions and costumes - but not one memorable song. Since then, however, I'm told the book has been extensively re-written with new numbers. I sure hope so. Actually, there was one fun song about flatulence sung by Shrek and Princess Fiona that should go down a gas on the London stage.

But if the producers can come to a deal with Ball, who will be asking for something in the range of £40,000 to £50,000 a week, then they will have a major draw. As he proved with Hairspray, Ball knows how to attract punters. After he left that show, ticket sales dropped.

The clever thing about Ball is that even though he was in a frock and a fat suit, an essential humanity came through and, more importantly, audiences believed in his Edna Turnblad. The thing about Shrek on Broadway was that I felt nothing for the poor green chap from the swamp. Ball will at least allow us to empathise with Shrek, and that's going to be half the battle.

I don't know where this Shrek move will leave Sweeney Todd, which Ball and Imelda Staunton were to have done at Chichester next year. There were rumblings that it wasn't going to come together anyway. We'll see.

Meanwhile, the Shrek producers, including Sam Mendes for Neal Street Productions, have to find a venue. They've looked at the Palladium, which won't be available. They've also been to the Palace, which might be free next year, as I'm hearing the musical version of the film Ghost might not be ready in time (book and score problems). And perhaps Oliver! might have ended its run at the Theatre Royal, Drury lane.

Hampton Court posted:14/03/10

On 19 June (Saturday) Michael will once more be appearing at the Hampton Court Festival. Official relase date for the tickets is 22 March. Happy booking everyone!

Love Never Dies Premiere posted:10/03/10

Many of you will know that "Love never dies" (sequel of Phantom of the Opera) premiered last night at London's Adelphi Theatre. It's no big surprise Michael has been among the guests. And of course there are some photos of Michael and Cathy.

Just have a look at this link . If and I am sure we will find more pics, we will keep you posted of course.

Daily Mail article including picture of Michael and Cathy .

Jonathan Rosse clip posted:06/03/10

Okay, we never tried this, but with some luck it might work and you will be able to watch Michael on Jonathan Ross.

And now the second part :-):

RTE clip posted:06/03/10

Irish television is much nicer to us oversea fans than BBC. RTE has the Late Late Show from yesterday available to watch online AND you can even see it outse Ireland.

So click here and enjoy Michael who will enter the stage after 1:14 hours. Enjoy.

Stephen Moyer Interview with Michael mention posted:06/03/10

Our favourite vampire Stephen Moyer (from True Blood, who was on Jonathan Ross as well) was interviewed by George Lamb on BBC Radio 6 this morning. At the end of the lovely interview they shortly spoke about Michael (and Gaga). Maybe not interesting for many of you, but all those True Blood fans would surely love this to to happen. Stephen said:

He's (Michael) actually got his own chat show coming up apparently. He's asked me to come up and do a little duet with him.

Side remark for True Blood fans: You will be in for a treat. Stephen will play the piano and sing during episode 5 or 6 of the second series. He does incredibly well! If you want to listen to the whole interview click here. Thanks to All Stephen Moyer .com for sharing the interview.

Rumour: Sweeney Todd Update posted:05/03/10

In addition to Baz Bamingboye's article published at the beginning of November we just found another blog that mentions Sweeney Todd will open in Chichester in Spring 2011 and afterwards move into the West End. It reads:

Ball is scheduled to open a new production of Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival Theatre in Spring 2011, alongside Imelda Staunton who will play the role of Mrs Lovett. The production will then move into the West End in the Summer of 2011.

Michael on TV again posted:05/03/10

Ireland is going to vote for their Eurovision Song Contest entry during the Late Late Show on RTE One. On their site they announced Michael Ball would be due to appear in tonights show. So be sure to check it out. It will be on air at 10:35 pm on RTE One

New Compilation ?? posted:05/03/10

On Ebay there is a new compilation consisting of 3 CDs for sale. According to the text it will be released on 29 March 2010. It seems to be another CD including his most loved songs. As soon as we found out some more details we will let you know. At least the cover would be lovely, don't you think?

Pics of Michael at Jonathan Ross and Dancing on Ice posted:04/03/10

While doing some research we found some lovely pics of Michael at Jonathan Ross, which was recorded yesterday. Further down you can find more pics of him at Dancing on Ice.

Just have a look at RexFeatures.

Rumour: Michael doing Sweeney Todd and new chat show posted:04/03/10

We just learned in a blog what Michael said during the Jonathan Ross interview.

Quote: " He reveals he'll star in title role of Sweeney Todd next year and confirms a new chat show."

Be sure not to miss it tomorrow at 10:35 pm on BBC One.

Follow the links to the initial blogs giving this information: Link 1 and Link 2

BBC Radio 2 - A Date With Dolly posted:03/03/10

The longawaited air date for Michael's up, close and personal interview with Dolly Parton has been announced. Next Tuesday (9 March) at 10:30 pm you can hear the first 60 minutes of "A Date With Dolly: Michael Ball Meets Dolly Parton".

Here is what BBC Radio 2 has to say:

In the first of two programmes, Michael Ball fulfills his longtime ambition to meet the woman who's bigger than country music itself, Dolly Parton.

The series, which coincides with the release of Dolly's CD and DVD package 'Live From London,' breaks loose from the familiar "life story" approach to this Nashville superstar. Instead, in a long and revealing conversation, Ball finds out what makes Parton tick, how she keeps her family life private, how she became a canny businesswoman and how even she takes the wig off sometimes.

Also in tonight's first part, Dolly talks about why she turned down Elvis and how she went about writing songs for the Broadway production of her hit movie '9 To 5.' Plus live versions of 'Jolene,' 'Two Doors Down' and the song she reveals as her personal favourite from her catalogue.

Toons have moved posted:28/02/10

The Ultimate Movie Toons on ITV 1, which we told you about earlier, has been postponed until 28 March. But at least we do have Jon Ross to look forward to (Michael and Vampire Bill in one show!).

Michael on Jonathan Ross posted:26/02/10

Now, how much would we love to live in the UK? Very much in general, but next weeks Jonathan Ross show is one we really hate to miss. Michael Ball (surprise) will be one of Jonathans guests on the show that will air on Friday 5 March 2010 at 22:35 on BBC One. We guess it is to promote the start of the Hairspray tour at the end of March.

In addition Jonathan will have Lady Gaga and our second man in line, Stephen Moyer, star of True Blood which second series will be aired in the UK soon. If you like vampire stuff it's just

This Morning posted:15/02/10

On his Twitter Account Phillip Schofield mentioned that Michael would be one of the show's guests today. As these things change as they go we won't bet our lives on it, but advise to tune in just in case. The show is braodcast on ITV 1 between 10:30 and 12:30 am.

ITV Rumours posted:12/02/10

According to an article of The Sun Michael will be appearing as a judge on Dancing on Ice this Sunday. They also cover the possibilty of him sharing a chatshow slot with Alan Titchmarsh (founded on the recording of the pilot on Wednesday). It remains to be seen whether any of this will actually be officially confirmed, but we thought to share this article with you nevertheless.

TV and Hairspray posted:09/02/10

ITV1 has announced that Michael will be among those performing in a new TV show called ‘Ultimate Movie Toons' , celebrating beloved animated classics. Themost famous tunes will eb sung by various artists. Definitely one to watch out for. The transmission date is set for Saturday 27 February.

After the somewhat shocking news about Hairspray's closure in the West End on 28 March, there are some articles on the tour casting which may (or may not) take all our minds from this sad, sad development. You can find the announcements on Playbill.com and Broadwayworld.com. (And naturally we have added them to Justy's articles page.)

More TV News posted:17/11/09

Michael will make an appearance in BBC2's Never Mind the Buzzcocks on 2 December. The show will be on at 10 pm.

Michael on Twitter and DVD Countdown posted:11/11/09

As some of you may already have noticed Michael is now a fully-fledged twitter-er. You can read his tweets here.

Also the countdown to the dvd release has begun. From 23 November it will be available in the shops. We certainly cannot wait. What a fantastic tour it has been! Pre-order Past and Present Live here.

On the linked Amazon page there is also a little promotional video clip. Enjoy!

Also there is some additional info:

The dvd will contain over 40 minutes of special features including:

Hairspray The Musical: The Final Night,
Royal Albert Hall – Michael Looks Back Over 25 Memorable Years
Access All Areas: Behind The Scenes with Michael

Rumour has it...Sweeney? posted:06/11/09

An article by the ever very well informed Baz Bamigboye today reads very interesting indeed. But please bear in mind that nothing is confirmed yet. Still, this was too good not to share it with you:

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton are the demon duo booking a date with Sweeney Todd

By Baz Bamigboye

Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton are lining up to make a killing.

The two stars have agreed to lead a new production of Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd into the Chichester Festival Theatre and then the West End.

That's the good news. The bad news is that we have to wait until the spring of 2011 before director Jonathan Kent gets it onto the boards in West Sussex.

Both actors have their dance cards full to bursting till then. Imelda has already worked on Cranford Christmas, done a small role in Mike Leigh's new film and has other projects to take her through to the end of next year.

Michael is doing his concert shows and performing in Hairspray on the road through this year, where he's getting £30,000 a week (and more) as star and co-producer.

Kent has spent months, on and off, talking with the two actors about playing the demon barber of Fleet Street, who killed his customers, and Mrs Lovett, who turned them into pies.

Michael has long been a fan of Sondheim's. He starred in the London premiere of Sondheim's musical Passion with Maria Friedman (the Donmar's doing it next year) and he has recorded Not While I'm Around from Sweeney Todd, although in the show the number's actually sung by Mrs Lovett.

Sweeney Todd won't be officially announced till late next year, but the two leads had to be approached well in advance in order to be certain of their services.

The musical for next year's Chichester season hasn't been decided yet. Barnum was to have gone there, but there have been problems casting the show. Indeed, at one point Ball's name was in the frame. But it's not happening now.

Instead, I'm hearing rumours that a re- configured Half A Sixpence might find its way to Chichester - but talks about rights and re-writes are continuing before a firm decision is made.

Read the original here.

Interview with Shine Magazine posted:02/11/09

Michael did an interview with Shine Magazine. This magazine is produced by Shooting Star Children Hospice, which Michael has been supporting for several months now. You can download the magazine here. Michael's Interview is on pages 16 and 17.

Media Appearances posted:25/10/09

To promote the new DVD, Michael will be doing several promotional TV appaerances. As always these are subject to change and he might pop up all over the place in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.

The Friday Show, BBC 1, Firday 13 November, 9 pm

The National Lottery Draw, BBC 1, Saturday 14 November, 8:45 pm (Michael to host the show)

The One Show, BBC 1, Monday 16 November, 7 pm

Strictly Come Dancing - It Takes 2, BBC2, Friday 20 November, 6:30 pm

The Alan Titchmarsh Show, ITV1, Tuesday 24 November, 3 pm

The Wright Stuff, FIVE, Wednesday 25 November, 9:15 am

The National Lottery Draw, BBC 1, Wednesday 25 November, 10:35 pm (Michael to host the show)

Two Charity Concerts posted:05/10/09

With being on tour we are a bit behind on the newsfront. Sorry about this. But better late than never. Exciting news! Michael will be doing two charity concerts this year. One will be on 12 December at Feltonfleet School in Cobham, Surrey, for The Shooting Star Children's Hospice. Tickets are currently sold out but you can be put on a waiting list.

We also got contacted by Amy Marland from the Friends United Network who asked us let you all know about Michael's appearance at the Swing on a Star concert on 22 November at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London. Here is her e-mail with all the contact details.

"Dear Kerstin and Julia,

I am including some details of our very exciting Charity Cabaret Night taking place on Sunday 22nd November. I would be very grateful if you could display this event on your website and inform your members.

Charity Cabaret Night · Event Name: Swing on a Star · Charity Cabaret Night with a fantastic line up of stars guests including* Michael Ball, Dame Judi Dench, Anna Friel, Jonathan Pryce and musical support from The Rat Pack's Back.

Date and Time: Sunday 22nd November 2009, show starts at 7.15pm

Event Location: The Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH

Champagne Cabaret tickets: £50, £75 and £100 available from: The Bloomsbury Theatre Box Office, 0207 388 8822 and http://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1378 .

Tickets include pre-show champagne and canapé reception and after show entertainment. Gala Evening tickets: £200 available from Friends United Network, 0207 485 0900 and amy@friendsunitednetwork.org.uk

Tickets include pre-show champagne and canapé reception, top price seats and exclusive after show dinner. · For one night only you will have the chance to be entertained by top international stars singing with a great swing band - The Rat Pack's Back. All proceeds to support the work of the award winning London children's charity, Friends United Network, Reg Charity No. 1017460. · Contact Tel No: 0207 485 0900."

Glasgow Tickets to Win posted:17/09/09

The Glaswegian has a competition to win tickets for Michael's Glasgow concert. If you want to enter visit their site.

The One Show posted:11/09/09

Michael just appeared on The One Show on BBC1. If you are in the UK and you missed it you will be able to watch the show again until the coming Friday (18 September). Just follow this link.

Michael on GMTV posted 07/09/09

Tomorrow morning Michael will appear on Lorraine's sofa at GMTV on ITV1 between 8:30 am and 9:25 am. Don't miss their website with some nice pics.

Hairspray Tour Dates updated posted 31/08/09

Thanks to the Fan Club we now have an updated tour dates list up and running. The Cardiff dates are still waiting to confirmation though. So bear that in mind when planning your travels.

Michael tours with Hairspray! posted10/08/09

STOP THE PRESS!!

Finally we are free to tell you the exciting news: Michael will reprise the role of Edna Turnblad for some venues of the Hairspray UK TOUR in 2010!

And not only does he star in it (or parts of it), but he is also rising to a new challenge and is from now on “associate producer” for Stage Entertainment, the UK production company of Hairspray. Apparently there is loads to expect from this creative coalition, as a musical revival is being talked about for 2011 and lots of new and exciting opportunities for the man himself:

“I'm hoping it will be a new and ongoing venture for me as producer and leading man and there are other shows I would like to be involved with on the production and directing side.” (WalesOnline.co.uk.)

An announcement as to the other members of the touring company is expected for Friday 14 August, so keep your eyes peeled!

The tour will open in Cardiff (with Michael as Edna) and these are the venues he will be playing (for now…):

Cardiff Millennium Centre: 30 March – 24 April

Glasgow Clyde Auditorium: 27 April – 8 May

Southampton Mayflower: 11 – 29 May

Manchester ~~Palace Theatre~~ Opera House: 13 – 31 July

We will add all the relating interviews and press reports bit by bit. Please bear with us, today has been utter madness.

CORRECTION: It's the Opera House at Manchester, NOT the Palace Theatre.

Ben to join Michael on Tour posted:06/08/09

Ben James-Ellis (the original London Link Larkin) has been interviewed by Scarborough Evening News. He finally confirmed he will be joining Michael on tour this September / October. Confirmed as well is the gorgeous Adrian Hansel (Seaweed). If you want to read the interview with Ben click here.

This Morning Show Today posted:17/07/09

As today (17 July ) is Fern's last show on This Morning, it might be advisable to check the programme out for a certain celebrity well-wisher.... ITV 1, 10:30 am - 11:25 am.

Sunday Express Today posted:05/07/09

In today's ( 5 July ) issue of the Sunday Express is an articel on Michael. So off to the newsstand everyone!

News posted:26/06/09

Due to our travels we are a bit behind on the news front. Apologies for that. So here goes:

There has been an interview with Michael on his six favourite books in the Daily Express . The article is still available online via this link .

We had told you earlier (sometime in March) that Michael has recorded the show "Would I lie to you" to be aired in May. This was postponed to September. The date we have now is 28 September on BBC1 at 10:35 pm .

Most importantly: Charity work

Michael has informed the Fan Club that he is now supporting The Shooting Star Children's Hospice . So instead of buying presents for him it would be a good thing to donate the money to this worthy cause. If you want to find out more about their work, please visit the website .

In his appearance on This Morning he hinted that there might be a concert to support Shootingstar in December. Fingers crossed.

TV Interview posted:18/06/09

Michael will be making an appearance on ITV's This Morning on 26 June . The show is on from 10:30 am - 11:25 am . Enjoy!

Tour DVD posted:02/06/09

We have all known for a while now that Michael was planning to film one of his tour concerts later this year. When talking to him he said it won't be the Albert Hall because he been there, done that and that the big halls were the better filming locations for technical reasons. Today the Fan Club confirmed that indeed one of the big arena shows will be filmed (and what a special night it will be): the concert at the Cardiff International Arena (on 8 October).

We will see you all there - let's rock'n'roll!

Radio Interview posted:30/05/09

The Fan Club informed us that Michael will be talking to Jonathan Ross today ( 30th )on BBC Radio 2. It airs between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm . Enjoy!