HE is an iconic stage star, hit TV and radio host and best-selling recording artist with the most devoted fans in showbiz.

Now Michael Ball’s adoring army of Hampshire followers are in for a treat with the announcement he will head to Southampton as part of a nationwide concert tour, performing music personal to him from both the stage and studio.

And the West End star, who has appeared in musicals such as Les Misèrables, Aspects Of Love and Hairspray, has revealed how it is women who have been the major influence behind his latest album Both Sides Now – and how one of the songs was written by two of the world’s finest songwriters in the back of a taxi.

The 50-year-old heartthrob told how Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leslie Bricusse came to collaborate for the first time ever to compose The Perfect Song, which Michael will perform at The Mayflower theatre in Southampton on May 5.

He said: “I was chatting to Andrew Lloyd Webber at a party and told him I was recording a new album and he said to me: ‘Actually Michael, I’ve just written a new song with Leslie Bricusse and I think you should have it!’ “I was in Los Angeles last week for Leslie’s 82nd birthday and Michael Caine, who was there as well, asked Leslie and me if we’d ever written a song together.

We realised we hadn’t and thought it was a great idea.’ “Andrew then told me that Leslie came up with the title The Perfect Song, and Andrew wrote the music in the back of a cab on the way home!

He then sent over the music to Leslie and Leslie wrote the lyrics.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful song written by two of the finest songwriters in the world and I’m extremely proud to be premiering it on my new album.”

Michael explained he had the idea for the album because he had already chosen to record a version of Both Sides Now by one of his all-time favourite singers, Joni Mitchell, and wanted to pull together songs from musical theatre to contemporary pop songs to complement it.

And it seems Andrew Lloyd-Webber wasn’t the only chance encounter that shaped the album.

He explained how he bumped into Il Divo on The One Show just before he was due to go into the recording studio and asked them there and then if they wanted to sing Love Changes Everything with him on the album.

“Luckily, they said yes!”, he said.

“It was a complete pleasure working with the boys in Il Divo.

“I think they bring a new dimension to one of my favourite songs and I’m really pleased at the way it’s turned out.”

But, despite the power the musical giants Andrew Lloyd Webber, Leslie Bricusse and Il Divo, have given the album, it was ultimately inspired by women.

As well as Joni Mitchell’s hit 1969 track, the album features songs by some of Michael’s favourite artists such as Closest Thing To Crazy by Katie Melua, and Joan Armatrading’s 1976 hit Love And Affection, as well as covers made famous by Adele and Leona Lewis.

“My last album, Heroes, was all about my favourite male singers and songwriters; this time it’s about my favourite female singers and songwriters; in fact I was surprised to discover that no one’s actually covered Love And Affection before; it’s a truly classic song. And I think Katie’s Closest Thing to Crazy is simply a brilliant song.”

But a secret Michael’s female fan base may be interested to know is what goes through his mind when he sings his own version of Dolly Parton’s powerhouse ballad I Will Always Love You.

He revealed: “I’ve done it in a very simple way; I think people will be expecting big belty vocal gymnastics but it’s just about one of the most sensitive and beautiful examples of lyrics and melody together, so I’m singing it as if I were talking personally to someone.”

Michael, who now has 18 solo albums to his credit and a string of musicals, said he is looking forward to bringing Both Sides Now to Southampton in May as part of his UK tour.

He added: “I think audiences are in treat – and some surprises, too!”