Michael Ball has lost lots of weight I’m told by his PR, ask him about that! I would prefer to talk about his new tour actually, but once I’d looked into his schedule it’s hardly surprising that he’s lost more than three stone into the bargain.

But why the rush? “I owed it to everyone to set the songs down and I always tour when I’ve got a new album,” Michael tells me, “because you have to do the songs live and I enjoy it. Besides, what am I going to do, stay at home?”

Heaven forbid. But then home must be a distant memory for Michael who’s currently starring in Hairspray in the West End and about to embark on the title role in Sweeney Todd. But in between, when most people would rather go home to bed, he’s managed to squeeze in a wee 22-date tour which includes a visit to Oxford’s New Theatre.

So why do it all at once?

“Because it’s there and I love it,” he says good-naturedly. “It was bred into me, this work ethic, and I hate saying ‘no’, because there will be plenty of times when I’m not doing anything and there have been those, believe you me!”

Hard to imagine considering Michael Ball’s legendary popularity – his new album Heroes is currently in the Top 10, showing that his fans are still as loyal as ever, and his tour is selling out around the UK.

“I’m so chuffed. It’s the first time since 1995 I’ve been in the Top 10 so it is a bit special, but then what else is around in the charts at the moment?” he reflects, his Radio 2 DJ hat on for a moment.

“I’m just doing what I do as opposed to all the studio-based music that’s trendy at the moment. My albums are done in a more traditional way.”

Heroes is his remastering of 15 of his favourite songs. How did he choose?

“It was a process of elimination – which songs worked, which ones would make a good album and some surprises. Some worked brilliantly and others didn’t or jarred with the rest. And I didn’t go for the cliches. So with Elvis I chose something not too iconic and Sinatra wasn’t New York or My Way. But it was hard. Nat King Cole – When I Fall In Love or Unforgettable? And then there’s a bonus track when I harmonise with Barry...”

That’ll be Barry Manilow then. What a luvvie.

“I’m not a luvvie,” the 48 year-old says, laughing. “I’m a turn. Luvvies only work partly in the theatre. No, I’m a top turn.”

Luvvie or not, his fans still adore him, and he will defend them to the hilt.

“People seem to have an image of my rabid fans, but they aren’t like that. They don’t turn up to my house or turn into stalkers — well only a few anyway,” he says with a smile, “but the vast majority are respectful, friendly and kind and don’t take advantage.

“They also encourage me to do different things and don’t pigeon-hole me, so they are as excited about Edna as Sweeney Todd and will come along to the Heroes tour to have a good time.”

Edna is, of course, Michael’s role in Hairspray, a part he loves.

“I do all my own make-up in seven minutes,” he boasts “and draw in my cleavage, as well as shave my chest and legs.”

Has he tried waxing?

Michael squeals in pain at the memory.

“I had my chest waxed and the pain was unreal,” he says. “But I did it for Edna. And my back was killing me from wearing high heels all the time and dancing, so now I do pilates.”

Sweeney Todd will be a different kettle of fish though.

“I haven’t designed the Sweeney Todd costume or make-up but it’s not going to be pretty,” he agrees. “And it’s playing in Chicester where we have a little cottage so I love it there.”

‘We’ is his partner Cathy McGowan, the former presenter of Ready Steady Go!, with whom he is going on holiday before “so I’ll be on stage with a tan”.

But add in his Sunday lunchtime Radio 2 slot, and she can’t see much of him.

“Performing is what I do and I know how to make it work,” he replies. “I wouldn’t do something over and over again unless it was stimulating, exciting and challenging. So with the radio show I can imagine people in their cars listening on Sunday mornings and I love the intimacy. People get used to your humour and I like to think I’m funny and enjoy talking to people. I also try to be topical and am very open about the world – the neutral voice of the BBC maybe – but as far as personality goes, I cannot be anodyne.”

Anodyne never. No wonder he’s lost a few pounds.

“I have lost 20 times that,” he smiles. “But to be honest the adrenaline alone keeps me awake at the moment.”

“I had my chest waxed and the pain was unreal,” he says. “But I did it for Edna. And my back was killing me from wearing high heels all the time and dancing, so now I do pilates.”

Sweeney Todd will be a different kettle of fish though.

“I haven’t designed the Sweeney Todd costume or make-up but it’s not going to be pretty,” he agrees. “And it’s playing in Chicester where we have a little cottage so I love it there.”

‘We’ is his partner Cathy McGowan, the former presenter of Ready Steady Go!, with whom he is going on holiday before “so I’ll be on stage with a tan”.

But add in his Sunday lunchtime Radio 2 slot, and she can’t see much of him.

“Performing is what I do and I know how to make it work,” he replies. “I wouldn’t do something over and over again unless it was stimulating, exciting and challenging. So with the radio show I can imagine people in their cars listening on Sunday mornings and I love the intimacy. People get used to your humour and I like to think I’m funny and enjoy talking to people. I also try to be topical and am very open about the world – the neutral voice of the BBC maybe – but as far as personality goes, I cannot be anodyne.”

Anodyne never. No wonder he’s lost a few pounds.

“I have lost 20 times that,” he smiles. “But to be honest the adrenaline alone keeps me awake at the moment.”