Michael Ball says King Charles III is "a lovely guy”.

Michael Ball loves the British Royal family

Michael Ball loves the British Royal family

The West End legend praised the 73-year-old monarch - who took over the throne after his mother Queen Elizabeth II passed away age 96 in September - and hopes to perform numbers with Alfie Boe, 49, with who he closed the 2017 Royal Variety Performance with a duet of ‘Bring Me Sunshine’.

The 60-year-old musical theatre performer told the UK edition of Closer magazine: “Charles is a lovely guy and he’s going to be a great King - we haven’t been invited to perform for him yet, but we hope we will! I’ve met them all. They’re a wonderful family, they really are. This nation wouldn’t be the same without them. Her Majesty was just a delight.”

Michael recalled the time he discussed his inability to do anything but performing when he collected his OBE from Charles in 2015 - an honour that Alfie was given in 2019 - back when he was the Prince of Wales, a title now used by his oldest son, Prince William.

He said: “I've met King Charles on several occasions. I remember when I went to get my OBE, and he said, ‘You’re still going then. How do you keep it up?’ I replied, ‘I can’t do anything else, Sir’ It’s always a special occasion when any of the Royal family are in the audience… It sounds naff, but it’s true.”

Alfie - who has worked with Michael following their meeting in 2007 - loves working with Michael because working with friends “makes the job a lot easier”.

He said: “One of the biggest things that seems to work is that we do get on well. We’re good friends first and foremost, really. When you’re working with a mate, it makes the job a lot easier.