Michael Ball

From Ethel Merman to Garth Brooks.

Actor and singer Michael Ball shares his castaway choices with Kirsty Young.

For over 20 years he's been the London West End's leading man - winning stacks of awards, building a hugely successful recording career and attracting a large and loyal army of fans.

He was a teenage drop-out, but when a teacher encouraged him to go to drama school he suddenly realised what he wanted to do. Success seemed to come easily to him and he quickly took on leading roles in Les Miserables, Aspects of Love and Phantom of the Opera.

But at one point he feared he’d have to abandon his career; he was on stage performing in Les Miserables when he suffered his first panic attack. They became so severe that he could barely leave his flat and he hated the thought of anyone looking at him. He shut himself away for nearly a year as he tried to work out what was wrong with him and overcome his anxieties.

Michael describes how he managed to return to the stage - and reveals the role his partner, Cathy McGowan, has played in rebuilding his confidence.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2008.