Michael Ball, Britain's leading musical star and the Variety Club Best Recording Artiste for 1998, has starred on Broadway and dominated the marquees on many of the leading West End shows for more than a decade. A proven and varied talent, Michael won acclaim and the hearts of the public with his numerous performances on stage, film and television. All Michael's eleven solo albums have held commanding positions in the UK charts, all rapidly going gold within weeks of their release. In July 1999 Michael was presented with the Theatregoers Club of Great Britain's award for Most Popular Musical Actor over the last 21 years.

Michael's theatre career to date boasts roles such as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance; Marius in Cameron Mackintosh and the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Les Miserables at the Palace Theatre in London; Raoul in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in London; Alex in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London and on Broadway; and Giorgio in Stephen Sondheim's musical Passion at the Queen's Theatre, London.

In 1992 Michael

sented Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest. His entry One Step Out of Time reached an audience of over 600 million worldwide, soaring to Number One in the UK singles chart, a position his debut album Michael Ball swiftly took in the album chart. His success as a solo artist lead to a sell out national tour concluding at the London Palladium, and performances in front of HM The Queen at both Her Majesty's 40th Anniversary Gala and The Royal Variety Show.

Michael's musical career developed further in 1993 when, taking the role of Tony, he made a recording of West Side Story with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He released his second album Always, which entered the UK charts at number three and remained in the top 20 for 10 weeks. The album was supported by a 30 date national tour, once again playing to capacity houses, and at Christmas he conceived and directed his own Christmas Special, performing in major regional theatre and in London. It was during 1993 that Michael sang with Kiri Te Kanawa in front of a capacity audience at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena, and he launched his television show Michael Ball. Six episodes were recorded with Carlton Television, and his guests included the Bee Gees, Montserrat Caballe, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, Elaine Paige, Cliff Richard, Take That, Dionne Warwick and the late Tammy Wynette.

1994 saw the release of Michael's third album One Careful Owner, which swiftly went Gold. Michael narrated The Cameron Mackintosh Story for BBC Radio 2, as well as guest DJ for their prime time show. The success of Michael Ball the television show lead to the recording of a second series, which again attracted major stars including Larry Adler, James Brown, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Cher, Joe Cocker, Marcella Detroit, D-Ream, Erasure, Darryl Hall, EmyLou Harris, Lulu, George Martin and Robert Palmer. Michael concluded a successful year with yet another sell out national tour, and the release of The Best of Michael Ball, which gave Michael his 4th Gold Disc in 3 years.

1995 was taken up with one off performances, including top billing in three major open air concerts in Exeter, Woburn Abbey and at Ludlow Castle with the BBC Big Band. He sung at the opening ceremonies of the European Youth Olympics in Bath and the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. He also performed for HM The Queen at the VE

elevision, and his guests included the Bee Gees, Montserrat Caballe, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan, Elaine Paige, Cliff Richard, Take That, Dionne Warwick and the late Tammy Wynette.

1994 saw the release of Michael's third album One Careful Owner, which swiftly went Gold. Michael narrated The Cameron Mackintosh Story for BBC Radio 2, as well as guest DJ for their prime time show. The success of Michael Ball the television show lead to the recording of a second series, which again attracted major stars including Larry Adler, James Brown, Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett, Cher, Joe Cocker, Marcella Detroit, D-Ream, Erasure, Darryl Hall, EmyLou Harris, Lulu, George Martin and Robert Palmer. Michael concluded a successful year with yet another sell out national tour, and the release of The Best of Michael Ball, which gave Michael his 4th Gold Disc in 3 years.

1995 was taken up with one off performances, including top billing in three major open air concerts in Exeter, Woburn Abbey and at Ludlow Castle with the BBC Big Band. He sung at the opening ceremonies of the European Youth Olympics in Bath and the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham. He also performed for HM The Queen at the VE Day 50th Anniversary Concert in Hyde Park. He sang a duet with Elaine Paige at the BBC Radio Music Live '95 Concert in Birmingham and demand was such that he also performed concerts in Jersey, the Ulster Hall in Belfast and the Harrogate International Centre. Michael was invited to recreate the role of Marius for the 10th Anniversary Gala Concert of Les Miserables at the Royal Albert Hall. Michael released The Rose, a charity single raising money for ROC (Research into Ovarian Cancer), and as a founder member of the charity he continues to be heavily involed with their work. Michael ended the year starring in Tony Palmer's film England, My England, a Channel 4 Films production in which he played Henry Purcell, and with a one hour Michael Ball Christmas Special for Carlton Televison with guest stars Dusty Springfield and Michael Bolton.

1996 began with the release of his fifth album, First Love, which went straight into the UK charts at number 4, going Gold soon after, and saw his return to the stage starring in Stephen Sondheim's musical Passion at the Queen's Theatre, London. In the autumn he left the production to prepare his new album, Michael Ball - The Musicals, which was released in November to coincide with his 4th national sell out tour. The year ended with Michael topping the bill at the Joy to the World Christmas Concert at the Royal Albert Hall, susequently televised by the BBC.

1997 saw the release of Michael's video The Musicals and More...entering the UK video charts at number one. It remained in the top 5 for over 9 weeks, and the top 20 for over a year. Michael enjoyed a busy summer with an appearance at a major event in St Louis, USA. During '97 he returned to the television screen when he was asked to launch the Wednesday Lottery Show on BBC1, and guest present the National Lottery Live Show for the BBC during July. His performances included two open air concerts - one at Bedford Park in North Devon, and top billing for Proms in the Park, a concert held in Hyde Park in front of 35,000 people for the Last Night of the Proms. Following huge demand from the public, he ended the year with a 5th national sell out tour named Nothing But The Best. He appeared in the 1997 Royal Variety Performance on the occasion of HM The Queen's Golden Wedding Anniversary, and as guest of honour at the Hallelujah Christmas