Michael Ball 'felt like a freak' after accident that meant he'd never have kids

Musical theatre legend Michael Ball has been with his partner, Cathy McGowan, for more than 30 years - but the BBC Radio 2 star revealed the sad reason why he's never had children

Singer and West End musical theatre actor Michael Ball took over the reins of the much-adored Love Songs show on BBC Radio 2 last year, following the heartbreaking death of Steve Wright. But now he's appearing on Sunday's Dancing On Ice, alongside singing partner Alfie Boe, as the pair perform to accompany the skating celebrities including Mollie Pearce, Sam Aston and Dan Edgar.

Michael, 62, has been living with his partner Cathy McGowan since the 1980s, but he previously shared his personal sorrow, revealing why he would never know the happiness of fatherhood. The singer, renowned for his roles in Les Miserables and Aspects Of Love, disclosed that a horrific accident in his teens resulted in severe injuries after a charity parachute jump went awry.

"I was going to earth at four times the speed I was meant to and got dragged along the floor," he shared, recounting the traumatic event. At just 18 years old, the incident caused him a ruptured groin and internal bleeding, which resulted in numerous operations over a span of four years and concealed agony from his resulting impotence, reports OK!.

Michael admitted: "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."

As he grappled with his injuries, Michael channelled his energies into his singing career, finding it a source of relief during those tough periods. Then he met and fell for Cathy, the iconic former Sixties mod queen., who's now 81. He explained: "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."

While reflecting on his past obstacles, Michael also spoke about his fight with substance abuse as an escape from severe anxiety that once triggered panic attacks on stage. This condition forced him to leave Les Miserables but after a nine-month hiatus, he triumphantly returned to perform in Phantom of the Opera.

However, his battle was far from over. He turned to heavy drinking, which led him to become a recluse. He also started relying on beta-blocker pills to manage his nerves before performing on stage.