Olympics fans are used to seeing famous sporting faces competing on TV, (Image: Getty Images)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeA BBC Radio 2 star’s fans were left gobsmacked after discovering his unexpected family link to the Paris Olympics. Musical theatre legend Michael Ball, shared on his Sunday Love Songs show that has off to Paris to cheer on his granddaughter, who’s competing there. Michael took over the show from Steve Wright, 69, who sadly died unexpectedly in February. BBC Radio 2 confirmed the news with a snap of Michael and Women’s Rugby 7’s star Grace Compton. “Go Grace! Michael Ball’s granddaughter Grace is competing for Team GB in the Women’s Rugby 7s at #Paris2024. We’re wishing you and all your team the best of luck Grace! ” they captioned the post. The revelation had fans scratching their heads, as many didn’t know Michael had a grandchild. @pellydooda was stunned: “What! ! ! ! Michael Ball has a granddaughter? ? ? ? Surely he’s not old enough! But good luck anyway.” But @tigerblade1967 came to the rescue, explaining: “Yes, Grace is Granddaughter of Cathy McGowan and her ex husband the late Hywel Bennett, but Michael has been there all Grace’s life.”
Michael’s fans were stunned by his Olympics connection
(Image: (Image: Michael Ball X))
Read More
Related Articles
I’m A Celebrity star ‘signs up to Strictly Come Dancing’
Read More
Related Articles
Shoppers are impressed with Stubble & Co’s travel bag which has ‘so much space’
Michael and his long-term love, former Ready Steady Go! host Cathy McGowan, have been an item since the 1980s, reports the Express. They hit it off when she interviewed him during rehearsals for stage musical Aspects of Love, and they’ve been inseparable since 1992. Before her romance with Michael, Cathy was married to actor Hywel Bennett, with whom she has a daughter, Emma. Michael’s stepdaughter and Grace’s mum Emma also has a son Connor, making Michael both godfather and step-grandad. Michael was brimming with excitement on his latest Sunday morning radio show as he talked about his granddaughter’s athletic achievements. “After this show I’m hotfooting it to the airport to fly over to Paris to see Grace Crompton, my granddaughter playing with the girls in Team GB’s Women’s Rugby 7’s in Paris,” he shared with listeners. “I can’t wait to see you darling. We’re bursting with pride,” he enthused.
Michael Ball flew to Paris to watch his granddaughter Grace Crompton in the Olympics
(Image: (Image: Michael Ball X))
At just 22, Grace is making waves with the Bristol Bears Women and caught everyones attention when she was picked for the 2022 Commonwealth Games team. Following that up with a selection for the prestigious 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens Womens tournament, shes now showing her skills in Paris. Team GB stomped their way into the quarter-finals of the Olympics, and now they’re squaring off against the USA. Michael could hardly contain his joy when Gracie scored a try in the match and rushed to social media platform X to share the news with his fans. Alongside a series of photos, he beamed: ” Gracie’s first try scored at the Olympics,” accompanied by a heart emoji.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn more
Discovery+
Discovery+ is the new home of the Olympics
Discovery+ is the new home of the Olympics. The streamer is set to broadcast 3,800 hours of sport live from Paris. Sports fans can get Discovery+ for £3.99 a month until the end of 2024 via Amazon Prime’s video channels. This also comes with an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial.
£3.99
Discovery+
Watch here
Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnOlympics
