Michael Ball recalls starting his career busking in Guildford

Singer and broadcaster Michael Ball has described how his first public performances were busking as a student.

The West End star and radio presenter said he used to sing in an underpass in Guildford, Surrey, while at drama school.

Ball said that, despite learning acting, “I guess I had a voice”.

Speaking to BBC South East, ahead of a performance in Brighton on his current tour, he said: “I never had any music training.”

Within months of leaving drama school, Ball landed a part in London for the debut of one of the most famous musicals of all time, Les Misérables.

He said: “I went for an audition for a brand-new musical at the RSC [Royal Shakespeare Company].

“Less than a year out of drama school I found myself in the West End in the greatest show in the world.”

Ball went on to star in many hit musicals over the years including Phantom of the Opera, Aspects of Love, Hairspray and Sweeney Todd.