Russell Watson in 'good spirits'

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Singer Russell Watson is in "good spirits" but still in intensive care after emergency surgery on a brain tumour, his manager has said.

"Russell's condition remains serious but stable," added Richard Thompson.

Watson, 40, is being treated at the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle.

He is talking briefly despite sedation and able to eat small amounts.

Watson fell ill during a recording session on Wednesday.

He had become suddenly incapacitated and had a number of symptoms, including a "dramatic deterioration of vision".

An MRI scan revealed a re-growth of a previous benign tumour, which was removed a year ago, accompanied by bleeding.

The tenor's two daughters, aged seven and 12, visited him for the first time on Friday. More family members are expected to see him on Saturday.

""He was obviously delighted to see his children yesterday and I hear his 87-year-old grandmother is coming to the hospital today," said Mr Stroud.

Watson won BBC talent show Just the Two of Us in 2006

It is not known how long Watson will be in hospital but Michael Stroud from the Alexandra Hospital said on Friday he needed plenty of rest and had to take things slowly.

Mr Thompson reiterated that message on Saturday. "It's becoming clearer that we are all in the long haul for him to get better," he said.

Watson was working on his latest album Outside when he began to feel unwell. All of Watson's engagements have been put off until further notice.

The singer was due to perform before the American football match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.

Next week he was set to fly to Los Angeles to appear at a Bafta ceremony honouring British artists in the US.

Watson, who used to be a factory worker before he turned to singing, has sold more than four million albums worldwide.

Medical concerns

A support group for UK patients who have suffered from the same condition as Watson said it had received "a number of enquiries" from people concerned that their tumours might return, just as Watson's had.

"There is no reason for patients who have previously been treated for a pituitary tumour to be alarmed," said Professor Paul Stewart, speaking for the Pituitary Foundation and the Society of Endocrinology.

"In these cases, you can occasionally get bleeding from the tumour into the brain, usually in stressful situations," he added. "Doctors are able to treat this condition successfully as long as patients are treated quickly.

"If they feel unwell or start to suffer from symptoms such as blurred vision, I would advise them to seek medical help immediately."