Trivia

His first film job was as a "swimming double" in Laguna azul (1949). The leading man of the film, Donald Houston couldn't swim, so Ball doubled for him, in scenes entirely shot in the studio tank. He later said his chief memory of the film was being constantly reminded by director Frank Launder to keep his face turned away from the camera - and that he'd been unaware that for water to not appear cloudy on-screen, it had to be ice-cold.

Has a brother who was an acrobat.

Prior to turning to acting he sailed 2 and a half times round the world working as a ships deck hand.

Prior to his training at RADA he was working as a brick layers apprentice.

Has two sons and a daughter.

He made his British stage debut in a juvenile role at the Q theatre and went on to work in rep at Hayes, Leatherhead and Horsham.

Did his Air Force training as a wireless-airgunner flight officer in Canada. In No. 547 Squadron RAF, he flew in Liberator bombers against U-boats and became a radar specialist.