British tenor Russell Watson was overcome with emotion during his appearance on BBC’s The One Show as he opened up about his battle with cancer. The renowned singer, known for performing for dignitaries such as the late Queen Elizabeth, President Bush, and the Pope, was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of ‘two golf balls’ back in 2006.
Following successful surgery to remove the benign tumour, Russell faced another cancer diagnosis a year later, which was more aggressive. Nearly two decades on from his first diagnosis, he shared his remarkable journey of survival on The One Show. Hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp surprised Russell with a heartfelt message from his consultant, Mr Lackett, praising his resilience and successful career post-surgery.
Moved to tears by the message, Russell expressed his gratitude and admiration for Mr Lackett, acknowledging the pivotal role he played in his recovery. His harrowing health journey is chronicled in his new memoir, Encore, set for release this week. The singer’s story sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals battling brain tumours, with around 16,000 people in the UK diagnosed with this condition each year.
While Russell’s main symptoms were severe headaches and vision deterioration, brain tumours can present a range of manifestations, including seizures, constant nausea, memory issues, and paralysis. The NHS emphasises that symptoms may develop gradually or go unnoticed initially, depending on the tumour type and affected brain area. Despite the challenges, Russell’s resilience and success serve as an inspiration to many facing similar health battles.