EXCLUSIVE: Opera singer Russell Watson has opened up on his ‘miracle’ turnaround as he says he feels like he has ‘been born again’ after battling two brain tumours
Russell Watson spoke of his ‘miracle’
Opera singer Russell Watson says he has been given a second chance at life after a “miracle” turnaround in his 20-year health battle. Two brain tumours were thought to have irreparably damaged his pituitary gland – which controls vital hormone functions – but he has now discovered it has made a stunning recovery.
“I feel I’ve been born again,” thrilled Russell, 59, tells The Mirror exclusively. “It’s a one in a million thing, so not unheard of, but it’s a miracle to me.”
For almost two decades, Russell has relied on daily steroids because his body stopped making cortisol – which regulates energy, sleep and the immune system. So he was bowled over when his doctor told him that he is now naturally producing it again – allowing his medication to be dramatically slashed.
“I did get a bit emotional when I found out,” he says. “Especially because I’d been told umpteen times by medics that I’d never go back to normal again.”
In the six months since, Russell has lost weight which was caused by the steroids, seen his high blood pressure plummet, and he is no longer plagued by a debilitating “fuzzy” sensation. “I feel 100 times better,” he says. “It’s been such a revelation just to get up in the morning and feel normal.”
The breakthrough follows a health nightmare which began in 2006 when Russell started suffering headaches and blurred vision. Shortly before he turned 40, doctors discovered a tumour the size of two golf balls, leading to surgery through his nose to remove it. A year later it had regrown and was bleeding into his brain, forcing him to undergo another operation and radiotherapy.
Such an ordeal left Russell feeling suicidal at times. “Before the tumour I was fit and felt fabulous,” he says. “After it hit, I’d sometimes wake up and literally feel as though I had a two-ton weight on my back. For three or four years I didn’t want to leave the house.”
His illness inevitably put huge strain on his family, with second wife Louise – who he married in 2015 – pulling him through his darkest days.
“It’s been really hard of course, but Louise has a more pragmatic outlook on life than me,” he says. “She’s a lifter, so whenever I felt down she’d say, ‘Come on Russ, let’s go out and do something.’”
His two daughters, Rebecca, 31, and Hannah, 26, from his first marriage, spent much of their youth fearing for their dad’s life. “They still worry now. They’ll ring and say, ‘You OK, Dad? I haven’t heard from you since yesterday.’ I’m like, ‘It’s only been a day!’” But proud Russell adds, “My love for my daughters is unimaginable. God knows what I’d do without them.”
He sees his girls “at least once a week,” and the pair often drop in at Russell and Louise’s farm in Cheshire, which has become an unofficial animal sanctuary. “We’ve got four dogs, two cats, a parrot, alpacas, goats, sheep, horses, chickens – and an ostrich out the back,” he laughs. “I’ve been asked if it’s like Jeremy Clarkson’s farm. It’s not. It’s the exact opposite – we produce nothing – other than homes for unwanted animals.”
With a new book about his life out this week, Russell says approaching his 60th birthday in November has made him more determined than ever to enjoy life. “I want to have as many great moments and great memories as I can possibly fit in,” he says.
“Nobody knows how long they’ve got left. I’ve gone through my trials and tribulations, that’s for sure. But coming out the other end and feeling how I feel right now, I know I’m a bloody lucky man.”
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