BBC RADIO 2: LOVE SONGS WITH MICHAEL BALL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2024
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.”
Emmanuel Kant
“Ball has said that his dogs are a special part of his family and that he misses them when he’s on tour. He also included his dogs Dylan and Danny in a music video, which he described as ‘chaos but so much fun’.” The Daily Express Nov 2017
“My perfect evening… would involve cocktails, theatre, dinner at The Wolseley and then home to a fire, the sofa, my dogs and a good boxset.” Michael Ball
On last week’s radio broadcast, Michael brought his dogs Danny & Wilbur into the conversation on more than one occasion. Have you noticed that Michael never discusses his home life without including his dogs? Danny & Wilbur are such an important part of his life, as have been all the lovable pooches who preceded them. For all of us dog lovers, it’s impossible not to admire a man who adores the four-legged, furry members of his family. So many celebrities say they love their dogs (and maybe they do) but they hire dog-walkers and others to care for them. Michael does everything himself. He walks those dogs every day, be it sunny, rainy, frigid or scorching. He cleans up after them and makes sure they don’t drag any dirt or mud into the house. I imagine them sitting at his feet as he cooks, enjoying a dropped morsel and a pat on the head. And when Michael parks himself on the sofa ‘in his pants’ to watch the telly, you can be sure Danny & Wilbur are right there beside him.
“Good morning, my lovelies. How are you? Hope you’re having a lovely start to your Sunday. You’re stuck with me for the next couple of hours. And I’m glad to say I’m stuck with you.” And of course Michael opens with Huey Lewis ‘Stuck With You.’ For the record, Michael, your audience LOVES being stuck with you on Sunday mornings. That’s why we’re here. “What can I tell you about my week? … I’m obsessed … A guilty pleasure … I’ve done all of RIVALS, the Jilly Cooper series, on the telly, in one hit.” And Michael sighs with pleasure. “I was back in the 80s, I was living my best life. I’m tempted to get a perm. I’m certainly going back to the shoulder pads. It’s just lovely.”
On the Love Line Michael speaks with Jen, who’s celebrating her 3rd anniversary and talks about meeting her husband in a Lindy Hop dance class. This immediately gets Michael’s attention. “And was it love at first step-ball-change?” Jen described their first date: “It was January and very cold. He held my hand and put it in his pocket … his cold pocket.” This sets off Michael’s giggles in a big way, so lovely to hear. In fact, he laughs intensely throughout this segment. Later, Michael speaks with John, who talks about his wife Amanda. Their sons are deaf and she’s been their rock, seeing them through life, helping them achieve their dreams. Amanda is also a MAJOR caller and texter into BBC RADIO 2, always making John the butt of her jokes. Michael’s call to Amanda finds his laughter front and center. He teases her about her crush on Lenny Henry and asks, “So. We’re in a room, right? And the best song comes on and you can dance with me or Lenny. Who are you gonna dance with?” Her response is priceless. “Well, I’ll dance with Lenny while you sing the song.” Michael feigns outrage. “Hah! I’m not singing while you two canoodle! That ain’t gonna happen!” And Michael bursts out laughing. “Listen, if I’m going to be the second current in the fruitcake, I’ll always do that for Lenny Henry. I can’t blame you.” Again on the Love Line, Michael speaks with Sarah, who just celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary with Mick. When Sarah reveals that Mick’s mom only called him Michael when he was in trouble, our Michael adds, “That’s exactly the same as my mum. ‘Mike’ when I’m the blue-eyed boy. But if I’d done something, ‘Michael! Come here at once!’” Every one of these segments ring with Michael’s laughter. This is exactly what we want to hear.
Love Letters this week finds Michael talking to ‘Mr. Ball.’ Paul Ball talks about his partner Bev finally retiring from nursing after decades. Bev is expecting a call from a delivery man, so Michael gleefully jumps into the part. When Bev answers she says her partner Paul Ball said she’d be getting a delivery. “You’re actually speaking to Mr. Ball. Not your partner, Paul. This is Michael Ball, and you’re on RADIO 2’s Love Songs. “No Way.” Michael shoots back, “Way,” and bursts into a fit of giggles. Bev is overtaken to be speaking with Michael and starts to cry, immediately bringing out Michael’s sweet emotions. Paul’s letter moves Bev, who says she feels ‘very loved.’ Michael responds, “You feel loved because you’ve given so much love. You get it back if you give it.”
For The Last Dance, Michael plays ‘You To Me Are Everything,’ adding, “I love this song. And it’s a great song to dance it. I did it many times at the Hill Lane Disco in Plymouth.”
Today’s show was one of Michael’s best. Full of fun and gales of laughter. And he made it personal, bringing up great memories from his past as if he were simply sitting in a room chatting with a friend. This is what makes any Michael Ball radio broadcast special. We get to see the man beneath the celebrity. In the meantime, Michael, we’ll be waiting for that perm and those shoulder pads! A true throwback to the 80s. If anyone can do it, you can, lovely man.
They say a much-loved dog’s last wish before they leave this world is that their human gives another dog the same comfortable and loving home that they experienced. And that’s what Michael has always done. He takes some time to grieve, and then he adopts another dog and lavishes them with his undivided attention and love. Any canine that becomes a member of Michael Ball’s family is indeed a lucky dog!
Here is the behind-the-scenes video Michael made with his dogs Danny & Dylan. It is so adorable!
Song Track List: Huey Lewis & The News ‘Stuck With You’; East 17 ‘If You Ever’; Morgan Wallen ‘Love Somebody’; Michael Buble “All I Do Is Dream Of You’; Buddy Holly ‘Everyday’; Pink ‘Just Give Me A Reason’; Bee Gees ‘More Than A Woman’; Martine McCutcheon ‘Perfect Moment’; Coldplay ‘feelslikei’mfallinginlove’; Clarence Henry ‘I Don’t Know Why’; Carpenters ‘Close To You’; Passenger ‘Let Her Go’; Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars ‘Die With A Smile’; Shola Ama ‘You Might Need Somebody’; Diana Ross ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’; Duffy ‘Warwick Avenue’; Josh Groban ‘You Raise Me Up’; Manran ‘Standing Still’; Ed Sheeran ‘The Joker & The Queen’; The Real Thing ‘You To Me Are Everything’; ‘Song of the Week: Lonestar ‘Amazed’