Michael Ball recalls starting his career busking

Singer and broadcaster Michael Ball has described how his first public performances were busking as a student.

The West End star and radio presenter said he used to sing in an underpass in Guildford, Surrey, while at drama school.

Ball said that, despite learning acting, "I guess I had a voice".

Speaking to BBC South East, ahead of a performance in Brighton on his current tour, he said: "I never had any music training."

Within months of leaving drama school, Ball landed a part in London for the debut of one of the most famous musicals of all time, Les Misérables.

He said: "I went for an audition for a brand-new musical at the RSC [Royal Shakespeare Company].

"Less than a year out of drama school I found myself in the West End in the greatest show in the world."

Ball went on to star in many hit musicals over the years including Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Hairspray and Sweeney Todd.

And in a complete change of gear he represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1992, finishing second with One Step Out of Time.

Ball cites American legend Barbra Streisand as his greatest influence.

He said: "I don't think anybody has equalled her vocal ability, coupled with her ability to inhabit different characters and to put so much emotion and expression into her voice."

Ball has been a presenter at BBC Radio 2 for several years.

He took over Love Songs in 2024 after the death of Steve Wright.

He said: "There is so much rubbish going on in the world.

"I just want to give people two hours of a safe haven of positivity."

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