Great Getaways

~ for Daily Express by Eluned Bowen (13/11/ 2004) ~

Michael Ball, 42, has performed around the world, most recently in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Sunset Boulevard. A successful solo artist too, his recent album Love changes everything - The Essential Michael Ball is out now. He lives in Barnes, south-west London with his partner, Cathy McGowan

"One of the best nights of my life was performing at the Sydney Opera House in March. The place was sold out and it just erupted. West Wittering Beach, in West Sussex, is beautiful and totally unspoilt. I have a house there and walk for hours sometimes. My favourite Bed and Breakfast is West Stoke House on the South Downs. The owners, Rolly and Mary, gave up everything to buy the beautiful Georgian property. I was brought up on Dartmoor, and you'll find the best pub in the world at a place called The Two Bridges. I'm half Welsh and Castell Coch, just outside Cardiff, holds many childhood memories for me. My gran would say, 'That's where Father Christmas lives'. There's an industrial site opposite with pungent smells and they said the wicked wizard lives there. I believed it!"