Actors - Russell Watson

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	Actors - Russell Watson

Russell Watson (born Salford, England, November 24 1966 - NOT 1967 or '68 as some sources report) is a British tenor, who has released popular albums of operatic-style songs.

Although he has been singing since he was a child, Russell Watson never sought a career as a professional singer, and began work as a bolt-cutter in Manchester. Short of money supporting his young family, he began to earn extra cash singing Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond covers in north-west clubs.

The turning point in his career came at an engagement at Wigan Road working men's club one night, when the secretary suggested he try singing "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot. While he is not a genuine operatic singer, he does attempt to perform operatic arias from time to time, especially in the studio.

In 1998 he was invited to sing at Old Trafford during the interval at a Memorial Match of the Munich air disaster, a huge privilege for a lifelong Manchester United fan. However, his appearance was cancelled at the last minute when player Eric Cantona requested that Mick Hucknall sing instead.

In 1999 he sang the UK's national anthem at the rugby Cup final at Wembley Stadium, then finally got to sing at Old Trafford before the last match of the Premiership season between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. After the game, when his team had won the league championship, he returned onto the pitch to sing the Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé song "Barcelona", during which he tore off his dinner suit to reveal a Manchester United shirt.

This appearance sealed his success, and only a week later he was invited to sing a full set at the final of the UEFA Champions League in Barcelona between United and Bayern Munich, duetting with Montserrat Caballé herself.

His debut album entitled The Voice followed in May 2001, a mixture of operatic arias and covers of pop songs, topping the UK classical music charts and eventually reaching number eight in the UK album charts. It featured a duet with Cleo of girlgroup Cleopatra (band) on the song 'Someone like You'. Cleo also did a duet with Russell on his third album 'Reprise' on the song 'The Best That Love Can Be' Cleo.

Also in 2001, Watson sang the opening theme of Star Trek: Enterprise, "Where My Heart Will Take Me" (written by Diane Warren), originally sung by Rod Stewart for Patch Adams. The song was remixed to be more upbeat in 2003. Watson also sang it live at the Commonwealth games opening ceremony in England in 2002.

In late 2002, he released the single "Nothing Sacred - A Song For Kirsty" to raise money for the Francis House children's hospice in Didsbury, Manchester. Their campaign to raise £5 million was fronted by Kirsty Howard, a seven-year-old girl with a serious heart defect. The song reached number 17 in the UK singles chart.

During July 2005 - February 2006 Russell worked with Portrait Painter Roger P. Thomas to create a Portrait than would be used to raise money for the Kirsty Appeal through the sale of prints.

Watson won the Album of the Year at the Classical Brit Awards in both 2001 and 2002, also collecting Best-Selling Debut Album (2001) and Best-Selling Album (2002).

He has recently been confirmed as playing the Parson Nathaniel in the stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.

On 5th March 2006 Russell paired with Cutting It star Sian Reeves, and won the BBC1 show Just the Two of Us.

Prehaps Watson’s most unusual collaboration to date is with former Happy Mondays singer Shaun Ryder on Watson’s 2006 album The Ultimate Collection. Ryder lends his vocals to the Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé song "Barcelona".

Albums

The Voice (2001)
Encore (2002)
Reprise (2003)
Amore Musica (2005)
The Ultimate Collection (2006)

Singles

"Swing Low '99" (1999) (Official song of the England team in the 1999 Rugby Union World Cup)
"Someone Like You" (2002) (with Faye Tozer, formerly of Steps)
"Nothing Sacred - A Song For Kirsty" (2002) (to raise money for the Francis House hospice)

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Actors - Russell Watson

Albums

Singles

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