Michael Ball was desperate for the blessing of his partner Cathy McGowan when writing his novel
‘She’s the person whose approval I want above all others’: Michael Ball, 60, was desperate for the blessing of his beloved partner Cathy McGowan, 79, when writing his debut novel
Michael Ball says the only person he was looking for approval from when writing his debut novel was his beloved partner Cathy McGowan.
The singer, 60, has penned a book about a young soldier who returns from war who reinvents himself and embarks on a career in vaudeville, set in the glamorous fictional Empire Theatre.
And the performer says he was relieved when former television presenter Cathy, 79, who he has been with since 1992, described his first draft as a ‘page-turner’.
Hopeful: Michael Ball, 60, says the only person he was looking for approval from when writing his debut novel was his beloved partner Cathy McGowan, 79
He told the Mirror: ‘She’s the person whose approval I want above all others.
‘I only showed her what I’d written at the end… she looked at me, slightly surprised, and said, “You can do this!”
‘She called it a page-turner, which is some compliment.’
Creative: The singer has penned a book about a young soldier who returns from war who reinvents himself and embarks on a career in vaudeville
Michael went on to say his partner has been there every step of the way throughout his musical career to support him.
A dedication to Cathy at the start of the novel reads: ‘To Cathy, for keeping the engine running!’
He explained that he tells Cathy to ‘keep the engine running’ every time he goes on stage in case the couple need to make a quick getaway after his performance.
The couple met after she interviewed him on her former pop music television show Ready Steady Go! when he was starring in West End show Aspects of Love.
They moved in together three years later and have been together ever since.
He said she has taught him a lot about life and how to be himself, and enjoy himself.
‘She has taught me so much and made me laugh like a drain,’ he said.
‘People sometimes ask about the age difference but it’s irrelevant. No one would mention it if I were the older one. Why does it make any difference?’
Man of many talents: Michael is currently in the charts with his single Sway, which he has recorded with Alfie Boe (pictured last month)