BBC RADIO 2: LOVE SONGS WITH MICHAEL BALL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
“I do all the cooking at home and love it. I’m a fairly traditional British cook, as my partner Cathy doesn’t enjoy spicy food, although I like to experiment myself.” Michael Ball
Michael Ball has proven himself to be a jack-of-all-trades over the years. Singer, actor, radio host, TV presenter, writer. And chef. Yes, chef. Michael loves fine dining, junk food, international cuisine, sweets … you name it, he loves it. But most importantly, he knows his way around a kitchen. An actor expresses his creativity in many ways. It’s ingrained in him, a trait that is always looking for a way out. The fact that Michael shares his culinary endeavors with his radio audience is telling. He’s proud of what he creates in the kitchen and he loves every minute of it.
“Hello, my lovelies. I’ve just about dried up from Preston last Sunday. Gonna tell you all about it later in the show, but right now love is in the air. And yes, he opens with that John Paul Young song. A nice start to a new show. “Ah, like I was saying, Preston was a joy, a triumph, the wettest I have ever been in my life – with my clothes on! Um, it was extraordinary. Thank you to everyone who came along, who stuck it out through that extraordinary weather, and it was a fabulous weekend. It really was. Great seeing all the Radio 2 family, but for me, doing my first ever DJ set, in the DJ tent, it was totally lit, and it went down big stylus.” And then, tongue in cheek, “Obviously I’m now a very trendy DJ. I’m going to be DJ Bally. I think that will work. Yeah, let’s do that. Thank you if you were there for giving me such encouragement. We had such a lovely, lovely time. I hope I get to do it again some day. And also, my lovely friend Rylan – we hosted for 3 hours in the afternoon, and there was a lot of banter. It was great fun. But right now this is LOVE SONGS with Michael Ball. It feels a bit more autumnal this week, definitely. How about if we keep warm and cozy together for the next couple of hours. You know it’s not my show. It’s our show.”
Song Track List: John Paul Young ‘Love Is In The Air’; Taylor Swift ‘Love Story’; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars ‘Die With A Smile’; Take That ‘Rule The World’; The Foundations ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’; Gabrielle ‘Out Of Reach’; Pet Shop Boys ‘Feel’; Daniel Bedingfield ‘If You’re Not The One’; Amy Grant ‘Baby Baby’; Carly Simon ‘Why’; Prince ‘The Most Beautiful Girl In The World’; Lady Blackbird ‘Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled’; Aretha Franklin ‘I Say A Little Prayer’; Justin Bieber ‘Love Yourself’; Yvonne Elliman ‘If I Can’t Have You’; Robert Palmer ‘She Makes My Day’; Amy Winehouse ‘Love Is A Losing Game’; Stevie Wonder ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’; John Waite ‘Missing You’; Chaka Demus & Pliers ‘She Don’t Let Nobody’; Elvis Presley ‘The Wonder Of You’
On the Love Line, Michael speaks with Jen, whose family is celebrating multiple events in the coming month. Jen’s special day is her 5th wedding anniversary. Knowing she was a huge Michael Ball fan, Jen got her husband to join her in going to Michael’s concerts. Michael and John got married in Las Vegas, Jen walking down the aisle to ‘Love Changes Everything.’ “That makes my heart sing,” Michael responded. “I love that, that you would choose that song.” When Michael asks what she’d like to say to John, Jen says, “John always says he’s not perfect. Well, you know what, Michael? He’s perfect for me.” In closing, Michael wishes them many more anniversaries and plays Take That’s ‘Rule The World.’
Michael again talks about Radio 2 in the Park, complimenting the citizens of Preston. “Genuinely, I had the BEST time. Scott Mills put me up to this, and all I want to say is, Scott Mills, thank you. You were right. It was just a joy to do, and I hope I get to do it again. Seeing thousands of people with their arms in the air, all doing ‘We Will Rock You,’ or doing the ‘Time Warp.’ Everybody knew the choreography. And my favorite moment, I think it was when we did ‘Doe, a Deer.’ Then Scott and Sally and Rylan joining me for ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat.’ Michael’s enthusiasm as he talks about this gig is wonderful to witness. He absolutely LOVED doing this, and he was GREAT at it!
Back on the Love Line, Michael speaks with Paul who’s celebrating his 40th wedding anniversary with Wilma. Wilma, unfortunately, recently had a hip operation, so they weren’t able to take their holiday in Turkey. Paul puts Wilma on the phone with Michael, and her reaction is charming. ”Have you been making Paul run around and look after you, I hope.” Wilma responds, “I’m trying to cut back on that a little.” Michael jumps back in. “Wilma, you’ve been married 40 years. Milk it for all it’s worth!” Then Michael adds, “Enjoy your celebrations. Get up dancing as soon as you can.” What a lovely couple!
Michael speaks with Pauline on the Love Line who’s celebrating her 30th wedding anniversary with Simon. They met while serving on a jury. Simon would watch from a window for when Pauline would walk by on her way, and he’d come out and walk with her. Fast forward to the end of jury duty, and Simon’s car ‘just happened to break down’ (according to Michael) in front of Pauline and her mum’s car. Pauline got out and helped him, and he invited her to go swimming with him that afternoon. Pauline is convinced his car REALLY did break down, and she convinces Michael of the fact, who responds, “So fate really did intervene.” Pauline responds, “He’s not very romantic. The first Valentine’s Day together I had a wing mirror for my car.” This sends Michael into gales of laughter – that infectious laugh. “Wait, it gets better,” Pauline says. “ I had a set of seat belts for our first (couldn’t get the word, sorry) together.” Michael goes OFF laughing. Oh, how I love that laugh!! “Congratulations, my lovely,” Michael says in closing. “I wish you all the love in the world.” This segment stands out for Michael’s laugh. He hasn’t laughed this hard and so consistently in many, many weeks!
Love Letters. Michael speaks with Helen who’s celebrating her second wedding anniversary with Paul. She says when they got married she intended to take the microphone and praise her new husband, but for various reasons it never happened, so she wants to make up for it now. Michael makes the call, and when he identifies himself, Paul starts to laugh. “Oh no. This smells of Helen.” She reads the letter, a beautiful letter, full of their history. They were told they couldn’t have children, but then miracle of miracles, she got pregnant. This sends of 3 of them on the phone into tears, and there’s a long moment of silence. Paul’s reaction and philosophy is gorgeous. “Things happen for a reason, and certainly that click on the internet (how they met) happened for a reason. I certainly believe that things pan out in the end, and just when you think things are bad, there’s always something bright around the corner.” Michael backs up everything Paul just said, adding that it’s something he’s learned doing this show. As always, a lovely segment. Thank you, Michael.
The Last Dance. A group of friends write in for their dear friend Karen who will be 60 this year. They say she is a wonderful wife and friend, always ready to do things for others. The Last Dance this week is for her, and Michael plays ‘The Wonder of You.’ Such a great way to end a fantastic show!
Returning to my opening remarks about Michael’s chef abilities, I believe it’s time for Michael to combine his writing and culinary skills and pen a cookbook. I haven’t a doubt it would be a best-seller, especially if it’s sprinkled with personal stories. He can talk about how he uses what he grows in his own garden, talk about interesting or funny mishaps in the kitchen, describe where he got the idea for a recipe. It wouldn’t be a book written by Michael without humor. And I know what the featured recipe should be: his prized Sunday roast! It would be a new challenge for him, and we all know how much Michael loves challenges. So come on, Michael. Think about it. There are thousands of people out there who would try your recipes and love your stories. And I’ll bet you’d have a ‘ball’ writing it!
The Song of the Week: Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story.’