BBC Radio 2 star Michael Ball’s horror accident meant he’d never have kids
Michael Ball is a beloved star of stage, screen and radio, but the BBC Radio 2 DJ once shared the reason why he’s never had children, after an horrific accident changed his life
An horrific accident in Michael’s teens resulted in severe injuries(Image: Getty Images for Bauer)
Romesh Ranganathan returns to TV on Saturday night, with a fresh series of his TV show, The Weakest Link. Joining him on 4 October will be a host of BBC Radio 2 stars, including Scott Mills, Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, Tony Blackburn, Jo Whiley and Michael Ball. Singer and West End musical theatre actor Michael took over the reins of the much-adored Love Songs show on BBC Radio 2 last year, following the heartbreaking death of Steve Wright.
Michael, 63, has been living with his partner Cathy McGowan since the 1980s, but he previously shared his personal sorrow, revealing why he would never know the happiness of fatherhood. The singer, renowned for his roles in Les Miserables and Aspects Of Love, disclosed that a horrific accident in his teens resulted in severe injuries after a charity parachute jump went awry.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have released albums and toured together(Image: West Lothian Courier)
“I was going to earth at four times the speed I was meant to and got dragged along the floor,” he shared, recounting the traumatic event. At just 18 years old, the incident caused him a ruptured groin and internal bleeding, which resulted in numerous operations over a span of four years and concealed agony from his resulting impotence.
Michael admitted: “It was very difficult to come to terms with. I was so embarrassed by what had happened to me down below that I didn’t tell anyone for six months. All I ever thought was, ‘Will I ever be normal? ‘ I didn’t feel adequate to be with the rest of the lads running with all the girls. I didn’t have a sexual relationship for more than four years.”
He first met Cathy McGowan in the 1980s(Image: WireImage)
As he grappled with his injuries, Michael channelled his energies into his singing career, finding it a source of relief during those tough periods. Then he met and fell for Cathy, the iconic former Sixties mod queen., who’s now 82. He explained: “She taught me not to feel like a freak. She made me feel attractive for me, not for being Mr Entertainment. I love my home, I love the normality of my life with Cathy.”
While reflecting on his past obstacles, Michael also spoke about his fight with substance abuse as an escape from severe anxiety that once triggered panic attacks on stage. This condition forced him to leave Les Miserables but after a nine-month hiatus, he triumphantly returned to perform in Phantom of the Opera.
Michael Ball with his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal which was presented to him by the Prince Charles in 2016(Image: Getty Images)
However, his battle was far from over. He turned to heavy drinking, which led him to become a recluse. He also started relying on beta-blocker pills to manage his nerves before performing on stage.