Michael Ball has been in a relationship with his other half, who is 20 years his senior, for more than three decades.
Michael Ball has paid tribute to his partner who helped him come to terms with a life-changing injury.
Saturday Kitchen returns today, Saturday, February 28, on BBC One with presenter Matt Tebbutt welcoming chefs Georgina Hayden, Sam Holland and Avi Shashidhara to cook up a storm.
Joining them in the kitchen this week is West End legend and BBC Radio 2 host Michael Ball who’s been in a relationship with another familiar face for more than 30 years.
The 63-year-old is loved up with broadcaster and journalist Cathy McGowan who is best known as the presenter of the 1960s pop music show Ready Steady Go.
They first met in the late 1980s when Cathy interviewed Michael for a BBC programme while he was starring in the musical Aspects of Love, kicking off their life-long romance, despite their 20-year age gap.
Prior to meeting Cathy, Michael had doubts if he would ever find love after suffering from a life-changing injury when he was 18-years-old.
The Les Miserables icon was involved in a horrific charity parachute jump accident which left him with a ruptured groin and internal bleeding.
Michael had to have numerous operations over a four-year period and as a result, isn’t able to have children of his own.
He previously shared: “I was going to earth at four times the speed I was meant to and got dragged along the floor.
“It was very difficult to come to terms with. I was so embarrassed by what had happened to me down below that I didn’t tell anyone for six months.
“All I ever thought was, ‘Will I ever be normal?’ I didn’t feel adequate to be with the rest of the lads running with all the girls.
“I didn’t have a sexual relationship for more than four years.”
While he hasn’t been able to have children, Michael found love with 1960s star Cathy, sharing: “She taught me not to feel like a freak.
“She made me feel attractive for me, not for being Mr Entertainment.
“I love my home, I love the normality of my life with Cathy.”
Saturday Kitchen continues every Saturday at 10am on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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