RUSSELL WATSON - TENOR 'RECOVERING WELL' AFTER OP

TENOR 'RECOVERING WELL' AFTER OP

Singer Russell Watson is "recovering well" after undergoing surgery for an aggressive brain tumour, a hospital official has confirmed.

The 40-year-old was operated on at 07:30 BST yesterday morning at the Alexandra private hospital in Cheshire.

Michael Stroud, executive director of the hospital in Cheadle said the tenor has been talking briefly and "eating small amounts of food".

However he stressed that the "priority for him is to rest".

"Family members are with him and it's only 36 hours since his life was in danger so it is important for him and those around him to take things slowly," Mr Stroud added.

"Russell is following the advice of his medical team and he understands that his recovery plan may be a long haul."

Mr Stroud explained that Watson's management team have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from friends and fans of the artist.

Watson had been recording for his new album Outside In - due out on November 26th - when he was taken ill on Wednesday, suffering a "dramatic deterioration of vision" as bleeding in his brain put pressure on his optic nerve.

The Salford-born tenor, a former factory worker, shot to fame after being invited by Martin Edwards, then chairman of Manchester United, to sing Nessun Dorma at Old Trafford ahead of the team's final match of the 1998/99 season.

He has sold more than four million albums worldwide, but was forced to cancel TV appearances and a UK tour in September last year after undergoing surgery to remove a benign brain tumour - known as a pituitary adenoma - at St George's Hospital in south London.