Encore

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My journey back to centre stage

In the first years of the new millennium Russell Watson was at the peak of his success as a much loved classical singer. He had gone from humble beginnings, working in a factory making nuts and bolts in Salford to singing in working men's clubs to performing to stadiums filled with thousands of fans.

But then tragedy struck. In 2006 and 2007 he was diagnosed with two brain tumours. In the subsequent years he battled crippling treatment, lifesaving operations, HRT therapy and mental health struggles. Doctors told him he would never sing in the same way again.

Russell was determined to defy the odds and fight his way back - not only to recovery but also to finding his voice again. Now he is singing better than ever, performing internationally again and has just released his fourteenth album. In Encore he tells his remarkable story of triumph and tragedy and shares the self-determination and resilience that this has taught him.