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Brain surgery for Russell Watson | Brain surgery for Russell Watson |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Singer Russell Watson is undergoing surgery to remove an "aggressive" brain tumour, his manager has confirmed. | Singer Russell Watson is undergoing surgery to remove an "aggressive" brain tumour, his manager has confirmed. |
Watson is being treated at the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheshire, where surgery was due to begin this morning. | |
The singer was recording on Wednesday when he was taken ill. He had a benign brain tumour removed last year. | The singer was recording on Wednesday when he was taken ill. He had a benign brain tumour removed last year. |
"This is a new tumour and a far more aggressive tumour than the one before," said the 40-year-old tenor's manager, Richard Thompson. | "This is a new tumour and a far more aggressive tumour than the one before," said the 40-year-old tenor's manager, Richard Thompson. |
The Salford-born singer, who used to be a factory worker before he turned to singing, has sold more than four million albums worldwide. | The Salford-born singer, who used to be a factory worker before he turned to singing, has sold more than four million albums worldwide. |
A message on Watson's official website confirmed "with much sadness" that the star was "in a critical condition". | |
"All our hopes, prayers and wishes are with him and we hope to bring more uplifting news later on today after he is out of the operating theatre," it continued. | |
'Complex surgery' | 'Complex surgery' |
A spokeswoman for the hospital in Cheadle confirmed that Watson was admitted on Wednesday afternoon. | A spokeswoman for the hospital in Cheadle confirmed that Watson was admitted on Wednesday afternoon. |
"Russell Watson is at the Alexandra Hospital. He came in yesterday afternoon. No other information can be given at this time." | "Russell Watson is at the Alexandra Hospital. He came in yesterday afternoon. No other information can be given at this time." |
She said the hospital was used to doing "complex surgery". | She said the hospital was used to doing "complex surgery". |
Watson (right) won BBC talent show Just The Two Of Us | Watson (right) won BBC talent show Just The Two Of Us |
Mr Thompson added: "Our thoughts are with Russell and his family." | Mr Thompson added: "Our thoughts are with Russell and his family." |
The tenor has two young daughters. | The tenor has two young daughters. |
Fans on Russell Watson UK, an unofficial fan site, posted their good wishes. | |
"I'm worried sick, I was in tears when I found out. Please God, get him through this," wrote one fan called Johanna. | |
Another posted: "This is such a shock, I am totally devestated. Dear Russell, my heart is going out to you with all the prayers to ask God to help you through this." | |
Watson had an operation to remove a benign brain tumour, called a pituitary adenoma, in September 2006. | Watson had an operation to remove a benign brain tumour, called a pituitary adenoma, in September 2006. |
The surgery took place at St George's Hospital in south London. | The surgery took place at St George's Hospital in south London. |
He recovered but was forced to cancel television appearances and postpone a UK tour. | He recovered but was forced to cancel television appearances and postpone a UK tour. |
His latest album, Outside In, is due for release on 26 November. | His latest album, Outside In, is due for release on 26 November. |
Watson found fame after the chairman of Manchester United invited him to sing Nessun Dorma ahead of the football team's last match of the season in 1999. | Watson found fame after the chairman of Manchester United invited him to sing Nessun Dorma ahead of the football team's last match of the season in 1999. |
He received a standing ovation and later landed a recording contract. |