OPERA star Russell Watson has started treatment in a bid to prevent any more brain tumours.
The Salford-born tenor underwent life-saving surgery in October to remove a tumour at the Alexandra Hospital, in Cheadle.
After spending Christmas with his two daughters he returned to Manchester's specialist cancer hospital, The Christie, in Withington, to begin radiotherapy yesterday.
He has been working out to build up his stamina ahead of the gruelling treatment which will last for an hour a day, Monday to Friday, for the next five weeks.
His spokesman said: "It has been a very special Christmas for Russell, he has spent a lot of time with his daughters.
"He has been working out a lot to try to prepare himself for the very gruelling treatment he now faces, he has been warned it will leave him exhausted.
"He just wants to get on with the treatment, get through it and get on with the rest of his life.
"He has been overwhelmed by the support he has received from fans and by the success of his album."
It was the 41-year-old's second tumour in 12 months, surgeons removed a benign tumour 'the size of a cricket ball' in September 2006.
Headaches
Russell received hundreds of messages from well wishers after being admitted to hospital on October 24 after feeling unwell just one day into recording his latest album. He had complained of headaches. His symptoms were passed to a neurologist, who told him to go to hospital immediately.
A growth was found to be pressing on his optic nerve. The singer had already undergone five hours of surgery just over a year ago to remove a three-inch brain tumour, which proved to be benign, and had been recovering well.
It is unclear how the surgery, which was performed through his mouth, will affect his singing voice.
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Hang in there Russell...you can beat this thing!! Wishing you all the best for the New Year, and looking forward to seeing you back on stage where you belong!!
Good luck Russell looking forward to seeing you back on stage and fully fit.... lots of love...
My thoughts and prayers are with you Russell -- you are truly amazing and I just know you will beat this thing. (so looking forward to you coming back to Ipswich as I missed you last time and was so upset!!) Lots of love, Sarah. xx
Best of luck Russell- We know you will make it .
We are praying for you, and will be here when you start singing again.
Love always, MimiX Hi.
Thinking of you sweetheart as you start your treatment .you are such a special person who deserves all the very best and I JUST KNOW IN MY HEART that you can beat this .I CANNOT WAIT for the day when you are well again and I CAN SEE you perform like 2007 at the N.I.A..Birmingham.what a fantastic night that was.All love and best wishes Janet Coventry
Wonderful to see you looking so well and sounding so positive Russell!
I'm sure you will be back on stage wowing the audience but ONLY when you are 100% fit please.
Your stalwart fans will all be there, wherever, whenever, you can be sure of that.
'Til then, take care,
Love as always,
Angela M xx
You can do this!!! Keep smiling and keep strong. Looking forward to seeing you again
Love Sharon xx
Fans all over the world are praying for you, Russell. Here's to a great New Year and hopefully Manchester's Man of the Year award! Looking forward to good news soon as you go through the next part of your treatment. Blessings to you always, Gowestnan, Cherry Valley, IL, USA
Perhaps Russell might consider doing a special benefit concert in aid of cancer treatment and research at Christie's once he is back to his old self again. I'm sure that such a gesture would be well recieved and given his high profile help to raise both funds and awareness
Good luck with your RT Russell - hope all will go well. Just hang in there - we will always be here for you - you can count on that. Love always, Joyce XX (California)
Russell looked and sounded amazing today. If anyone can get through this, he can with his strength of character and humour. Will be thinking of you every minute over the next few weeks Russell and will be at your comeback concert, wherever and whenever it is!! xxx
Good luck Russell. My thoughts are with you and I know you will be strong through all this. The best years are ahead of you. Best wishes from Phillippa in Australia.
Speaking as someone who has just come through 5 weeks of radiotherapy I wish Russell all the best but can assure him that he is in very capable hands. This hospital is a credit to Manchester and the NHS and the care from the staff cannot be faulted.
It was great to see you on Tv Russell , still with that lovely smile of yours.
Hope all goes well over the coming weeks.
All my best wishes and lots of Love . I will be thinking of you as always
Sandra (Scotland)
xxx
hello russell hope your soon well agian best wishes from mavis
HI RUSSELL MY MUM ALWAYS TAUGHT ME TO HAVE PLENTY OF LAUGHTER SPEND TIME WITH MY CHILDREN AND ALWAYS TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME THE BEST THREE THINGS IN LIFE GOOD LUCK AND KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT HOPE YOU FEEL WELL SOON XXX
Dear Russell
Sending you LOTS of love and encouragement as you go through the treatment. Good that you're keeping positive because that will help a lot. Your Aussie fans will be waiting for you.
Trish, Perth, Western Australia.
Dear Russell, you are constantly in our thoughts. we listen to your beautiful voice every day. If we could take some of the pain away from you, we would. Stay strong, think positive, keep a sense of humour throughout and feel the love of everyone who cares for you. You have so much going for you. Much more than many people. The good outweighs the bad, which surely means that life will be good again. It will be... I know it... All my Love, Dimps. XX