Encore : My journey back to centre stage

Told he would never sing again, now he’s back for his Encore. ‘A unique story – told from the heart, with humour and warmth’. Aled Jones’An emotional read – his personal story is more powerful than that high note in “Nessun Dorma”‘. Vernon KayRussell 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 continues his work as a successful recording artist. In Encore he tells his remarkable story of triumph over tragedy and the resilience he built along the way.