Russell Watson 'critically ill'
Singer Russell Watson is critically ill in hospital with a brain tumour.
Watson was due to undergo surgery to remove the tumour at 0730 GMT at the Alexandra private hospital in Cheshire.
The singer, 40, was recording on Thursday when he was taken ill. He had a benign brain tumour removed a year ago after falling ill in the US.
The Salford-born tenor, who used to be a factory worker before he turned to singing, has sold more than four million albums worldwide.
'Complex surgery'
A spokeswoman for the hospital in Cheadle confirmed that Watson was admitted on Wednesday afternoon.
"Russell Watson is at the Alexandra Hospital. He came in yesterday afternoon. No other information can be given at this time."
She said the hospital was used to doing "complex surgery".
Watson's agent, Richard Thompson, described the tumour as "major".
"Our thoughts are with Russell and his family," he added.
The singer had an emergency operation to remove a benign brain tumour in September 2006.
The operation to remove the tumour, called a pituitary adenoma, took place at St George's Hospital in south London.
He recovered but was forced to cancel television appearances and postpone a UK tour.
His latest album, Outside In, is due for release on 26 November.
Watson found fame after the chairman of Manchester United invited him to sing Nessun Dorma ahead of the football team's last match of the season in 1999.
Watson got a standing ovation and later landed a recording contract.
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