![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/music-legend-michael-ball-dedicates-his-first-novel-to-partner-cathy-mcgowan/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/0_MAINSOCIAL.jpg&description=When Michael Ball showed his partner of 30 years the final draft of his first novel, he was delighted when she declared it was a "page-turner". The singer says Cathy McGowan – presenter of the 60s music show Ready Steady Go! – has always been his fiercest critic... and his fiercest supporter. And it showed when it came to her review of his debut novel, The Empire. 'She's the person whose approval I want above all others,' Michael says. 'I only showed her what I'd written at the end… she looked at me, slightly surprised, and said, 'You can do this!' 'She called it a page-turner, which is some compliment.' Michael on stage with fellow singer Alfie Boe (Image: PA) And there's a sweet dedication at the beginning of the novel which reads: 'To Cathy, for keeping the engine running!' Michael, 60, says: 'It's an expression we've had all the time we've been together. Before I go on stage, I always say to her, 'Keep the engine running… we may need to make a quick getaway!'' The singer moved in with Cathy, 79, in 1992, three years after she interviewed him when he was starring in Aspects of Love. Cathy is almost 20 years Michael's senior but to him, age is just a number. 'She has taught me so much and made me laugh like a drain,' he says. 'People sometimes ask about the age difference but it's irrelevant. No one would mention it if I were the older one. Why does it make any difference?' Michael, who is also famed for playing Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray, says Cathy was hugely supportive of his decision to put pen to paper during the pandemic. The star, who has 'always wanted to write a novel', says: 'To go down a new career path at my grand old age is really exciting. But I've always loved a challenge. I just hope I haven't embarrassed myself.' Michael with Cathy and Lloyd Webber in 1989 (Image: WireImage) The book is out now Michael's debut novel isn't going to win the Booker Prize. But if there's one thing he knows about, it's the theatre industry – which is whe){kind=link}
Michael Ball says Cathy McGowan has always been his fiercest critic… and his fiercest supporter. And it showed when it came to her review of his debut novel, The Empire
When Michael Ball showed his partner of 30 years the final draft of his first novel, he was Âdelighted when she declared it was a “page-turner”.
The singer says Cathy McGowan â Âpresenter of the 60s music show Ready Steady Go! â has always been his fiercest critic… and his fiercest supporter.
And it showed when it came to her review of his debut novel, The Empire.
“She’s the person whose approval I want above all others,” Michael says.