“I love visiting other cities and countries, but all the holiday faff can be a nightmare. For the last eight or nine years, Cathy and I have gone to the same place every summer. It’s a private villa in Mallorca, but the family and I came to an arrangement where they rent it to us every summer. This place feels like a home from home, which is exactly what I need on holiday. Arrive, hire a car, head to the supermarket, stock up on food and … reeeelllllaaaaax.” Michael Ball

Michael Ball works hard. He freely admits it. He loves it. The busier he is, the happier he is. His choice of relaxation at this time in his life is wise. He doesn’t take vacations visiting different places and seeing the sights, which can be exhausting. How many times have you returned from a vacation feeling like you need ‘a vacation?’ I’m sure he did some of this in his youth, but now he sees much of the world in his travels that are work-related. And speaking of work-related …

“Good morning, my lovelies. Welcome to Love Songs with me, Michael Ball.” This is said with great gusto. “Ten more sleeps. Not many.” Michael now switches to little boy mode, anxious for Christmas! “Oooohhh!” I truly believe he shivered with excitement when he said this. It sounded like it. “I’m getting excited. I hope you are. And remember – with Radio 2, you’re never alone at Christmas. After playing ‘All Alone At Christmas’ Michael comes back with “Well, it’s the 15th. You must be feeling festive by now. I’ve got to be honest. I really am. I’ve been very good this year. I’ve sorted most things out. The turkey’s ordered. The sprouts are on.” And he laughs. “A good ten days on. My gran used to do that. One of my grans. One gran was a great cook. The other – ohhhh” and he groans, “just dreaded being around hers for Christmas. It was awful. Absolutely awful. She’d have the sprouts on a low light now.” He groans again. “And her roasties. Soggy lumps of vileness. Anyway,” and he laughs heartily, “I do love her, but she couldn’t cook for peanuts.” And he changes the subject. “The house is looking lovely. Kath has got her own elf – that would be me – She loves Christmas and just tells me what to do. And, you know, being a good partner, I do it. All the presents are ready. There are lots of surprises. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

On the Love Line, Michael speaks with Andrew whose wife is celebrating her 58th birthday. Their ‘special day’ was the day they met in 1985 in a local pub. From the moment he met Claire he knew it was love at first sight. His wedding day was another special day. When Andrew went to use the bathroom at the reception, he thought he was seeing things when Roger Black and Lunsford Christie walked in. Michael belly-laughs at this. Andrew knew they weren’t invited to the wedding but the athletic stadium was opening the next day, and the wedding reception was held in the hotel where the athletes were staying!

After playing a few songs and reading a few messages, Michael says, “Guess what? I’ve got a mince pie with my name on it which I’m going to eat as I put my feet up and hand the show over to you.” As recorded messages from listeners play, I can imagine Michael digging into that mince pie – and, BTW, it’s one of my favorite pies, too. Yum!

Michael next speaks with Anne on the Love Line whose dad Gordon is now in end-of-life care. Her entire family thinks the world of him. Gordon has sung all his life, loves musicals. Michael gives him a call. Gordon’s response? “Well, gracious me, why do you bother calling me?” Michael says he knows it’s his birthday on Wednesday. Michael then learns that Gordon especially loved Broadway Bangers in Preston, which absolutely delights our affable guy.

At the top of the 2nd hour, Michael asks, “Hands up. Who’s wrapping presents right now? I still haven’t done all mine. Hands up. Who’s getting ready to brave the shops? Do the shopping? I’ve still got to do a load of that. Hands up. Who’s still in bed and doing none of the above and just enjoying listening to LOVE SONGS with no plans of doing anything else today?” Michael sighs. “Ooh, that’s quite a lot of you, isn’t it? I wish I was with you.” I can just hear some responses out there to this statement!

Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks with Bill. Bill met Jude on a dating web site, which completely changed his life. Jude is an inspiration, says what she thinks and introduced him to new places and activities. Michael plays ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ for this delightful couple.

Michael dedicates Beyoncé’s ‘Halo’ to Elizabeth Bacon, “a lovely mum, nana, great nana, who passed away on Dec 9th. Her daughter Gail told me she was loved by everyone and will be sadly missed.”

Love Letters. Michael speaks with Bonnie, who wants to honor her partner of 10 years, Shawn. She doesn’t see a lot of him in the winter (“Does he hibernate?” Michael interjects to laughter). No – He coaches the GB Bobsled team. Michael says he doesn’t think the bobsled is for him. He’s done a roller coaster, but a bobsled is ‘scary biscuits.’ Michael calls Shawn, whose reaction is a delight. Bonnie reads her letter, which is moving and heartfelt, and Shawn admits this letter made his year. What a sweet man.

And that’s it for today. Michael says next week will be his Christmas Show. This week’s show was very Christmasy – and I loved it – so I can’t wait to see what he does next week!

Michael Ball is a unique celebrity in dozens of ways, many of which have been enumerated in these recaps. That he chooses to return to a villa in Majorca for his vacation, a place that’s as comfortable as his own home, is incredibly telling. I’m sure he dines out while there (Michael loves a good meal and fine wine), but he also cooks (something he loves), gets some rest and spends time with his family without work getting in the way. This is how he recharges his batteries, and it says everything about what’s important to him. He knows what he needs when it’s time for him to rest. But most importantly, this shows that, outside of work, his family is what matters. Michael Ball has been blessed with talent, but he works hard and gives as much as he receives. And he shares the wealth with his beloved family.

Song Track list: Darlene Love Allen Alone On Christmas’; Commodores ‘Easy’; Elton John & Brandi Carlile ‘Never Too Late’; Madonna ‘Crazy For You’; Paul Young ‘Love Of The Common People’; Sugababes ‘Too Lost In You’; Luther Vandoss ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’; Calum Scott & Christina Perri ‘Kid At Christmas’; Tina Turner ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’; The Flying Pickets ‘Only You’; Taylor Swift ‘Christmas Tree Farm’; Gwen Stefani ‘Bouquet’; Savage Garden ‘Truly Madly Deeply’; McFly All About You’; Beyoncé ‘Halo’; George Michael ‘December Song’; Michael Buble & Carly Pearce ‘Maybe This Christmas’; Cyndi Lauper ‘True Colors’; Buddy Holly ‘Everyday’; Kate Winslet ‘What If’; Paul McCartney & The Frog Chorus ‘We All Stand Together’

©DeborahFezelle2024 This material is the exclusive property of Deborah Fezelle, Michael Ball & the MBFC