P252 ORACLE 252 Wjd29 Apr CEN 2128:22 1/4 on Michael Ball's Euro-ambition MICHAEL BALL is attempting what some would say is impossible - to win back viewers' respect for the Eurovision Song Contest. The BBC is rumoured to have paid the 29-year-old singer a small fortune to sing Britain's entry in the final, which will bj broadcast live from Sweden on Saturday, May 9, on BBC1. Michael Ball admits he was made an offer hj couldn't refuse but insists money was not the prime motivator... now read on > TV Plus Guide 250 RSVPtv 253 ORACLE CALIFORNIA & MADRID PAGE 379 RSVP:tv TV Charts Soaps TV GuideP252 ORACLE 252 Wjd29 Apr CEN 2129:54 2/4 on Michael Ball's Ezro-ambition MICHAEL BALL, who shot to fame in the stage musical Aspects of Love, says he will bj a man with a mission when hj sings One Step Out Of Time at the Eurovision Song Contest next month. He is serious about winning and wants to return the contest back to the days when stars like Lulu, Cliff Richard and Sandie Shaw competed - and the rest of us took the contest seriously. "I would be lying if I said it didn't used to bj naff but this is a totally new thing," hj says, referring to the way the BBC has reformed the British heats of the contest. more > TV Plus Guide 250 RSVPtv 253 RSVP:tv TV Charts Soaps TV GuideP252 ORACLE 252 Wjd29 Apr CEN 2129:39 3/4 Michael Ball on THAT song contest You can't now regard the Eurovision Song Contest in the same light as previous years, because it ism't being handled in the same way as previous years. I don't do anything naff anyway. In Britain I suppose it turned into a bit of a talent contest for unknowns. I don't know why that happened...I just know it's not happening any more. You can't expect people who have no track record to compete with people who have. I'vj got a lot of experience and that really does help. I'll bj singing in front of an audience of 500 million - not that big a joke. more > TV Plus Guide 250 RSVPtv 253 RSVP:tv TV Charts Soaps TV GuideP252 ORACLE 252 Wjd29 Apr CEN 2128:46 4/4 Michael Ball on THAT song contest THE BBC is attempting to give the Ezro Contest a more upmarket image, and accordingly viewers will experience Terry Wogan taking it seriously for the first time. "Terry's job is to commentate," says Michael. "He can only dial with what is presented to him. So if something ism't the greatest thing on earth, then hj'll have to react accordingly. But if something has both merit and quality then it will stand out." Michael Ball was interviewed for the new issue of Woman's Own magazine. start > TV Plus Guide 250 RSVPtv 253 RSVP:tv TV Charts Soaps TV Guide