SECOND CHANCES - 'MY GIRLS BECAME MY PROTECTORS'

SINGER RUSSELL WATSON ON THE BRAIN TUMOURS THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE, AND HOW HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS GOT HIM THROUGH IT

Determination and a fighting spirit have taken Russell Watson from working as a bolt-cutter on a Salford factory floor to becoming one of the world’s best- loved classical singers.

The 56-year-old star, who appeared on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2020, has performed for the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, and for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace. He is also an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, which was set up by King Charles in 1976.

But at the height of his success in 2006, Russell – who has been married to his second wife, Louise, since 2015 – was diagnosed with a brain tumour and had to undergo emergency surgery.

Although he recovered and continued to perform, a second tumour was found a year later, and he cancelled several concerts to go through more surgery and gruelling radiotherapy treatment.

Thankfully, dad-of-two Russell – who shares daughters Rebecca, now 28, and Hannah, 22, with his first wife, Helen – was able to return to performing. He also used his platform to raise awareness for other people affected by brain tumours.

Here, Russell reveals how moving to a beautiful 15-acre farm in Cheshire – complete with horses and alpacas – has brought his family closer, how his wife helped him overcome depression, and why the royal family is such a big influence…

Hi Russell! How has moving to the countryside changed your life?