Michael Ball may be one of the West End’s most recognisable stars but away from the spotlight he has quietly built a decades-long relationship with partner Cathy McGowan.

The couple who have a 20-year age gap first met in the late 1980s when McGowan best known for hosting the iconic music show Ready Steady Go! interviewed Ball during his rise to fame in the musical Aspects of Love.

What began as friendship soon blossomed into something 37-year deeper.

“I remember she came to interview me and at first we were friends and then it was more than that,” Ball recalled in a 2024 interview. “I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”

They have lived together since 1992 and have remained inseparable ever since.

In July 2024 Ball surprised listeners on his BBC Radio 2 show when he revealed he was heading to Paris during the Olympics to support his granddaughter.

Fans were left puzzled with many unaware he had a grandchild.The confusion was later cleared up.

Grace is the granddaughter of McGowan and her late ex-husband actor Hywel Bennett.

McGowan is 20 years older than Ball who is 63 but the singer has consistently brushed off any focus on their age difference.

“Every night is a date night with Cathy,” he said. “I’m too old to be a toy boy, and age has never been an issue or thought about. We’ve been together about 30 years now, and all I can say is I wish I looked as young as she does because she looks amazing.”

He has also spoken about how their dynamic works so well especially after McGowan’s own high-profile career in television.

“She’s more than happy that the focus is on me now,” he shared.

Despite nearly four decades together Ball and McGowan have never tied the knot and it’s a deliberate choice.

“It’s just not something that we need to do,” Ball previously explained.

“My public life is insane, but once that front door closes I leave that version of myself outside and I just like to relax at home.”