Michael Ball’s usually warm smile was replaced by tears on Friday’s This Morning as the singer opened up about the loss of his beloved mother, Ruth. Appearing on the ITV daytime show to promote his 23rd studio album Glow, the veteran performer shared an intimate glimpse into the final days of a woman who shaped his life.

Last August, Michael revealed on Instagram that his mother had passed away at the age of 91. On today’s show, he spoke candidly about her final days, explaining that Ruth chose end-of-life care rather than prolonging her hospital stay after a sudden illness.

“It was the most beautiful, if one can plan a death, you know,” Michael told hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond. “She was taken ill on a Saturday. I went to the hospital, and for five days she had one very serious episode — a heart episode. The doctors said, ‘If we intervene again, it will be really horrible.’”Michael appeared on This Morning today (Credit: ITV)

With characteristic determination and humor, Ruth made her wishes clear. “She said, ‘No, I’d like end-of-life care now, please’ — fully conscious, utterly determined, and funny as hell. We cried, we talked, I was holding her hand as she went,” Michael said, visibly emotional.

Reflecting on the experience, the singer admitted that he mourned deeply while watching her final moments. “It wasn’t a tragedy, it’s deeply sad. But it was a beautiful, perfect goodbye,” he explained.

Michael also shared a joyful memory from his mother’s 90th birthday. Expecting a traditional celebration, he asked what she wanted — perhaps “lunch at the Ritz or something.” Ruth had other plans. “She wanted to go on the fastest zip wire in North Wales and get a tattoo on her arm,” Michael recalled. She chose a bold Welsh dragon, then hurled herself down the zip wire with her signature fearless spirit.

“It was a perfect ending. It was perfect,” he said, fighting back tears but smiling at the memory of a mother who lived life on her own terms.