Latest News…

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In brief …

Follow the  purple  links  for more on any topic.

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24th May

Russell will be mentoring youngsters  from the TWIST Project, part of the Salford Foundation’s work, next week as they prepare to stage a production of  ”If I Can Dream”.

23rd May

Russell’s own competition to win tickets to his Hampton Court Palace Festival show may have closed but there are (at least) two others currently open…
1.  LondonTown.com    (Prize is Tickets only : closes midday 7th June)
2.  Surrey Life magazine   (Prize includes Meet & Greet with Russell)

22nd May

Australian broadcaster ABC TV  is to show the BBC’s ‘Songs Of Praise – Russell Watson’s Salford” on ABC1 on the morning of Sunday 2nd June.

21st May

Aurora’s webcam now shows they are dockside (arrived about 8.30am) in a misty Southampton and Rob has Tweeted three pictures….

https://twitter.com/robemery/status/336770792882851840

Several complimentary Tweets have been posted during the day as people get back on dry land… “Bring Him Home was just wonderful…“  “Had a brilliant time…“  “Fantastic concert…”  “Brilliant performance… great to hear The Loveliest Night Of The Year.“

The BBC outlines arrangements for broadcasting “highlights” of the Coronation Festival Gala.

20th May

Last chance today to enter Russell’s competition to win tickets to his Hampton Court Palace Festival show with a Meet & Greet…

Anyone thinking of going to the Viking Radio ”Party In The Park“ at The Blue Bell Hotel in September may care to check thoroughly the ”Important Event Information” on the ticket ordering page about the nature of the event and the security arrangements, below the picture of ‘Escala’.

19th May

Preparations seem to be well in hand for tonight’s performances aboard ‘Aurora’…

https://twitter.com/robemery/status/336045123064442881

You can see the “sea state” with Aurora’s live webcam view…

18th May

Russell’s own ‘blog‘ confirms that he is honoured to be performing for Her Majesty at the Coronation Festival.

14th May

Two new dates for live performances… 8th June at Smooth Radio’s “Love Live Music on the Waterfront” at The Pier Head, Liverpool (free entry) from 6pm onwards and 14th September at Viking FM’s “Party In The Park” at The Blue Bell Hotel, Burton Agnes, Driffield, Yorkshire from 3pm – 9pm.  Russell is expected to be on stage from around 7pm.

9th May

‘Now’ magazine, in partnership with Macleans toothpaste, is offering an opportunity to win tickets  to the Coronation Festival Gala on 12th July.  Subscription to the online magazine is required and there are T&Cs to note (UK entrants only, etc) but all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is to correctly answer one question about Kate Middleton’s style, and there are clues on offer in their picture gallery.
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LondonTown.com are offering a free competition to win tickets  to see Russell at his Hampton Court Palace Festival concert 0n 16th June by correctly answering a question about how many Classical Brit awards he has won.

https://twitter.com/LondonTown/status/332482838584770560

The ‘Elmbridge Lifestyle’ and ‘Kingston’ magazines also have a free competition to win tickets to the Hampton Court Palace Festival.  The competition is offered across a range of Sheengate.co.uk’s magazines but only one avenue may be pursued for valid entry.

Russell is interviewed in a two-page feature in these magazines that are distributed free in the Kingston-upon-Thames area (see map for outlets) and it can also be read, free of charge, on pages 12 and 13 of their digital edition.

7th May

It’s the BUPA Great Manchester Run on Sunday 26th May and  The Kirsty Club  is once again entering a team and hoping for sponsors.  We know that Kirsty and Francis House are dear to Russell’s heart although he’s not named in their list of runners this year.

https://twitter.com/thekirstyclub/status/331825106122838016

6th May

The Coronation Festival concerts may be ‘sold out’ but it might still be possible to get to see Russell by booking a  package  holiday such as the one being offered by Newmarket Travel (Code N400).

5th May

Michael Ball plays Russell’s  Il Gladiatore  on his BBC Radio 2 programme and pays compliments to Russell’s resilience.
You can  Listen Again  on BBC iPlayer until 12th May. Scroll to 1 hour 33 minutes.

2nd May

Salute To Vienna posts a great picture of Russell in his tail suit…

30th April

Russell is to  perform for HM Queen Elizabeth  at Buckingham Palace as part of the celebrations  of the 60th anniversary of her coronation, including two evening concerts that are open to the public.

28th April

• A picture of Russell in Vienna, having changed into a less formal suit for song #2, is posted on Twitter…

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• It appears that Russell’s ‘penguin suit’ was tailored for him by “Stitches” of St.Mary Street, Manchester.

26th April

Returning safely to the UK, Russell Tweets, “Just hit the tarmac at Heathrow . Thanks to everyone involved in last nights show ! Really enjoyed my Vienna experience x“

25th April

Russell is in Vienna for tonight’s “Salute To Vienna“ concert and Tweeted, ”Outside the world famous Vienna concert hall !!! Its even more beautiful inside : ) #readyfortheperformance   pic.twitter.com/dwjg7gsnBs“.

He later adds, around 9.30pm, “Just come off stage for the first half !! What an amazing night : ) x“.  A British fan in the audience let it be known that, “#salutetovienna was magical! @russellthevoice sung ‘The Student Prince’ (Romberg) & ‘The Land of Smiles’(Lehar) and raised the roof! #Bravo” and we’re grateful for that timely report.

24th April
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Russell Tweeted last night (after our bedtime) “Just arrived in Austria for the salute to Vienna PBS special #stunningcity“and then, “Never mind the quality , feel the width !!! Penguin suit fitting for Vienna Konzerthaus show #suitsyousir pic.twitter.com/QkAjNuJ457“.

Nice to know he’s got there safely.:
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Russell’s Official Site  has become so popular that  Plug and Play Design  have had to move it to a different server.  Steve Rosler from P&P says to “Clear your cache if you have problems” accessing it.  By “clear your cache” he means ‘delete your computer’s browsing history’ (in Tools on Internet Explorer).

23rd April

• Russell generously offers an opportunity to win VIP tickets to, and a Meet & Greet at, his Hampton Court Palace Festival concert on 16th June. All you need to do is email his fan address with your contact details.  See his  Facebook post  or his  website  for more details.  The ‘closing date’ is given as 20th May but there’s no indication yet of when or how winners will be notified; we’re sure he’ll get to that in good time, though.
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• Lancashire Life  reports online on the recent Butterfly Ball with slightly different pictures accompanying the report on pages 62 and 63 of the printed, May 2013 edition.

22nd April

Russell’s getting cryptic with his Tweets, “Jolly good game of togger on the box tonight , Newton Heath playing a blinder #20/20RVP : ) x“.  We think that decodes as ‘Superb football match on television tonight. Manchester United playing brilliantly. Robin Van Persie, wearing the Number 20 shirt scores a first-half hat-trick to ensure United’s 20th Premier League title” but he’d not have got all that in a single Tweet!  Newton Heath was the name of one of the small local teams that eventually grew into MUFC.

19th April

Russell appears briefly in this week’s OK magazine, pictured at last month’s spectacular Butterfly Ball, and has copied a picture on his  Facebook  page.

25th March

Russell announces that he has appointed  City Lights Entertainment UK  as his new exclusive worldwide management.   It seems that City Lights made an announcement back in February but nobody spotted it, tucked away on their ‘blog’ page but at least there’s a photo of Russell  that we’ve not seen before; he’s got his hands in his pockets, looking down. Probably from an earlier photoshoot but it’s new to us.

22nd March

Russell’s recovery progresses well enough for him to Tweet a couple of pictures of his dog  Blaze  and Blaze’s friend  Rodney  enjoying a ‘duvet day’. Who can blame them in this weather?

20th March

Russell’s Musical Director, Rob Emery, visits Russell to discuss  future projects  but isn’t giving anything away other than Russell has decided that Rob is one of the television advert meerkats.  We hope that’s a sign that Russell’s getting over the virus… his mischievous sense of humour’s recovering at any rate.  Natasha Marsh, who went to China with Russell recently, has also been suffering from a virus. We wish them both speedy return to full health.

19th March

Smooth Radio add three more videos of Russell performing at their ‘Love Live Music At Christmas‘ concert at the Union Chapel, Islington, on 19th December to YouTube.

18th March

The ‘Cruise International’ interview with Russell that’s in their April/May issue can now be found  online.   Those who might prefer the printed edition, with pictures, if you can’t find the magazine in your local shops, a single edition can be ordered from  Chelsea Magazines.
Cost £3.95 post free in the UK with reasonable rates for overseas.

17th March

Russell was due to star at Holders Season in Barbados on 23rd March but according to their website…
“Newsflash: Russell Watson has just let us know to his great regret that due to a virus he has been advised by his doctors he must rest and not travel till the end on the month.
The Holder’s Season Family wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.“
We, too, wish him a speedy recovery.

16th March

Russell was pictured recently by  Time Machine Hire  having a good look at their “Back To The Future” DeLorean.

14th March

Russell  apparently  entertained at a gala in Old Billingsgate in aid of “Find A Better Way” a charity founded by Sir Bobby Charlton and devoted to improving the lives of individuals and communities affected by landmines.  Supported by Sir Alex Ferguson and members of Manchester United FC, over £75,000 was raised.  Now, that’s a good score!

13th March

Russell adds a  picture  from The Butterfly Ball to his website’s blog.
Over £43,000 was raised for The Prince’s Trust.

11th March

• Russell’s Official Forum disappears unexpectedly again.  It is understood to be a ‘hosting’ problem and nothing to do with Russell or Management.  It is restored around 9pm.
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• Armonico Consort  announces that, following the considerable interest in their “Around The World In 18 Tunes” they will release a special DVD of the event, including behind-the-scenes clips, rehearsals and interviews as well as the evening performance.  To request a copy, please email marketing@armonico.org.uk  for a copy of the order form by  Wednesday 20th March 2013. However, please note that the DVD is intended as a souvenir for the children and their families of their special day at the RAH and it won’t feature anything of Russell’s contribution.

10th March

Armonico Consort’s “Around The World in 18 Tunes”, with some 1,200 young singers, is performed at the Royal Albert Hall.  Russell supports the event and sings You Raise Me Up. 

There are two sets of pictures on Classic FM’s website, one from rehearsal and one from the evening performance.  There are 7 of Russell in the  first set  (33 to 39)  and four in the  second  (22, 27, 28 and 31).

9th March

Russell appeared as the special guest artist at  The Butterfly Ball  in aid of  The Prince’s Trust  at  The Dunkenhalgh Hotel, Lancashire.

8th March

The winner of Armonico Consort’s competition to win a box for the performance of their ‘Around The World In 18 Tunes’ is named as a good Russeller who is also attending the Butterfly Ball and can’t re-arrange things at such a late stage so as to make it to London.  Still it was a nice gesture.

5th March

• Armonico Consort is offering a chance to win a FREE box at the Royal Albert Hall for the performance of their “Around The World In 18 Tunes” concert on Sunday evening 10th March just by Re-Tweeting  @ArmonicoConsort‘s  post on Twitter or by ‘sharing’ the post on their  Facebook  page.
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• The magazine Cruise International has done a ‘Quickfire Quiz’ with Russell in their latest April/May issue and offered a glimpse of some of the Q&As  online  though you have to buy the magazine to see the whole thing.  It can be bought as a ‘digital edition’ if you have an account with Zinio or, if you can’t find it in the shops, single copies of the magazine can be obtained for £3.95, post free in the UK, without taking out a full subscription, from  Chelsea Magazines  though you do still have to create an account.  Overseas postage is also available at reasonable rates.

4th March

• Earlier today, Russell Tweeted, “The launch of the brand new Cadillac ! That’s me in the distance x http://yfrog.com/oegnepkj“
  
  So this was why he’d been to China again… another vehicle launch.
  Last time was for the new BMW, this time it was the new  Cadillac XTS.
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• Twitter and  Facebook  reveal that Russell is to support 1500 youngsters of Armonico Concerto’s AC Academy  in a performance of “Around The World In 18 Tunes” at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday evening, 10th March.:
  

3rd March

‎Decca’s compilation, ‘Amore – The Opera Album‘, goes back up two places to No.12 on the Classic FM  Official Chart, while on the UK  Official Chart Company’s  Chart it holds steady at No.9 for a second week.

1st March

• It’s almost a week since Russell and Natasha Marsh flew off to China and both their Twitter accounts have been very quiet – apparently they weren’t allowed to Tweet – but today Natasha let it be known that she was back and that she’d had food poisoning, probably from eating tuna; she’s also added a couple of pictures to her Twitter account.  Just hoping for some word soon that Russell is safely back and that he didn’t have the tuna, too.
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• Russell’s Twitter account says, “Ave a smashing weekend x” so he may, possibly, be back.  “U2“, Russell, wherever you are.
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• Late news in from “Salute To Vienna” of the DVD to be made of the concert on 25th April.  Its release date still isn’t confirmed beyond “late fall” so it may be several months of a wait but it will be produced in a region free format for the benefit of those outside their usual North American market and available from their ‘boutique‘.  They also confirm that those who purchase tickets to the VIP aftershow reception will “most likely” be able to meet Russell!

25th February

The  Butterfly Ball  is added to the  Blog  page of Russell’s Official Website while the  Holders Season  and  Salute To Vienna  events are added to the  Live Dates  page.

24th February

‎’Amore – The Opera Album‘, holds up well at No.14 on the Classic FM Official Chart (if you swap the ‘Last Week’ and ‘This Week’ columns round) while on the UK Official Chart Company’s Chart it moves up to No.9.

22nd February

Russell does like to spring little surprises.  Earlier this evening he Tweeted, “Just about to fly out to China for a show ! 13 hour flight ahead , might treat myself to a glass of vino x“, drawing a lot of responses wishing him well on his travels and encouraging him to sup up.
It seems he may be in company with the lovely Natasha Marsh who Tweeted separately, “Just about ready to board for china. Bought lots of cadburys bubbly at the airport to keep me entertained!“  Well, wine and chocolate at 35,000 feet… they just need a decent in-flight movie and they’re cosy.

21st February

There are more photos from the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration on Virgin Money’s  Flickr photostream,  including some different pictures of Russell (with Lady Elsie, Ruby Turner and Joe McElderry).

20th February

• It’s announced that the operatic quartet,  Amore, are to support Russell at the Classics Concert at  Clumber Park  on 18th August.
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• There are a number of super photos from the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration on the website of “The Picture Foundry“.  Russell appears in pictures 1, 4 (just), 5, 32, 33, 45 and 46.

19th February

Gordon Barr reported the Sir Bobby Robson Celebration for the  Evening Chronicle  and the Chronicle also has a  slideshow  of pictures, two of which feature Russell.

There’s also a report from  Sky : Tyne & Wear.

18th February

Russell leads a stellar cast of celebrities and entertainers at the celebration of the life of Sir Bobby Robson at The Sage and performs two of Sir Bobby’s favourite songs, Land of Hope and Glory and Barcelona, the latter with Faryl Smith.

Local newspaper, the  Evening Chronicle,  reported briefly on the success of the event with a promise of a full report ‘tomorrow’.

17th February

Decca’s back-catalogue compilation of some of Russell’s best operatic music, “Amore – The Opera Album”  enters the  Official Classic FM Chart  at No.10.  How good is that for a release of his ‘oldies’… well, they are ‘goldies’…

As well as being available from Amazon, etc, it’s also stocked at ASDA for £5 (and they have an offer on at the moment, two CDs for £9… fill your boots!).

16th February

Russell answers his own question about musicals, “My favorite musical – Phantom is awesome , South Pacific the movie beautiful , Lion King on stage wow ! Les Mis just edging top spot ; )“

15th February

Over on Twitter (again), Russell has posed the question, “What is you favorite musical of all time ? : )”  Answers to Russell via his Twitter account @russellthevoice.

13th February

From Twitter (again)…
SBRFoundation ‏@SBRFoundation : “Confirmed: Russell Watson, Alistair McGowan, Peter Brewis, The Cornshed Sisters, Paul Smith, Ruby Turner, Faryl Smith… #SBRCelebration” we discover that Russell is to star at a fundraising celebration of the life of Sir Bobby Robson at The Sage, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, on Monday 18th February.    The event has been ‘sold out’ for some months but a further allocation of tickets is to be released at 10am on Thursday 14th February.
Ticket Office :  0191 443 4661.

12th February

Russell Tweets that, “The forum is now back up and running! Please visit http://www.russellwatson.com   or  http://www.russellwatsonforum.com“

1oth February

Russell’s  Official Forum  reappeared online early this evening as suddenly and mysteriously as it had disappeared in January. We understand that it’s not yet ready for full re-launch but at least it appears to be on its way back.   Thank you, Russell.

5th February

An announcement on the Twitter account of ‘Salute To Vienna‘ indicates that Russell would be in some way involved with them, “Spread the word! #STVinVienna2013 #Vienna #WienerKonzerthaus #Waltz #RussellWatson #ViennaChoirBoys #HaraldSerafin  #MaximilianSchell “ and a check on their  website  shows he’s to be a very special guest at their concert at the Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna on Thursday 25th April 2013.  It appears from the programme on the ticket office’s website (in translation) that he is to perform only two songs, My Heart Is Yours and Serenade.
Read more in their PDF  Press Release…

31st January

An announcement on Russell’s Twitter account this afternoon declared simply, “Russell is performing in Barbados on 23rd March for Holders Season. For more information please visit  http://www.holders.net/  -  so, a venue in the sunny West Indies!

30th January

Promoters Cuffe and Taylor  announced today  that Jonathan and Charlotte would be Russell’s ‘special guests’ at  Lytham Proms  on 3rd August…

27th January

The second of Russell’s two recorded presentations of Songs Of Praise, “Lowry’s Salford – Then and Now” was broadcast on BBC1 this evening and can be seen on  BBC iPlayer  for the next seven days.

25th January

The forthcoming “Butterfly Ball” is mentioned by ‘Lake District and Lancashire Life‘  (online, not in print).  For more information, and to request tickets, contact Phillip Skingsley via ‘Moore & Smalley’ on 01772 821021 or by email at phillip.skingsley@mooreandsmalley.co.uk.

Please note that a ‘block booking’ at the  Dunkenhalgh Hotel  has been obtained by the organisers so as to be able to offer preferential rates to guests who wish to stay overnight so a ‘normal’ search for availability on the hotel’s website may suggest it is ‘full’ when it may not be.  Talk to Phillip for details.

24th January

Russell awards not two tickets but six to the staff at Pebble Nursery for their PJ Day picture.   Lovely gesture, Russell, and ‘well done’ ladies… enjoy the concert!

22nd January

• A brief trailer, narrated by Russell himself, for the forthcoming  Songs Of Praise programme, is posted on their website.  It’s a bit longer than the clip shown at the end of last Sunday’s programme.
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• The Clumber Park concert is added to Russell’s offical site’s Tour Dates.

21st January

The picnic-style Classical Concert at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, is confirmed over Twitter by the promoter and Russell.  Tickets go on sale Tuesday 22nd January at 12 noon.  Read more…

18th January

It’s PJ Day for the Katy Holmes Trust with Russell and Team really showing how to get into the spirit of it.  Read more…> >

15th January

• Radio Times confirms the broadcast of the second Songs Of Praise programme to be presented by Russell as “Lowry’s Salford – Then and Now” in which he explores how his native Salford has changed since artist LS Lowry painted the industrial town in the 1920s. He also performs classic anthem Jerusalem and introduces other popular hymns from St Peter’s Church in Swinton.  Sunday 27th January : BBC1 : 4.25pm (5.25pm in Scotland).   Watch the Songs Of Praise  trailer…
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• Last night’s news included a report that HMV had  called in administrators  although they are still trading.  If you are considering ordering the Decca compilation CD  Amore  at all, it may be prudent to bear that in mind.  Vouchers and Gift Cards are no longer being honoured.

14th January

• This afternoon there was a Tweet from Russell (or his team), “We’re seeing what we can do to resurrect the old forum. Hopefully we’ll have some more information by the end of the week. #teamwatson“.  Good news, considering that not everyone is comfortable with Facebook or Twitter.  Thanks, Team!
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• From  Amazon.co.uk  we see that Decca are to ‘release’ a compilation album of twenty MP3-only tracks under the title “Classic FM The Sound Of Russell Watson”.

The track list is available via the link above or click the picture.
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10th January

The Royal British Legion’s online shop, The Poppy Shop, re-stocks with the the DVD of the 2012  Festival Of Remembrance  in which Russell performs a duet of There You’ll Be with Alexandra Burke.
Pal : Region 2 : : Cost £10.75 plus £2.95 UK p&p.  Order online…
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9th January

The Lancashire Evening Post reports on Russell’s support for the Katy Holmes Trust’s forthcoming fundraiser ‘Pyjama Day’ on 18th January.  Later in the day Russell blogs, Tweets and posts on Facebook that he wants to see folks’ pictures of them in their PJs and he’ll award tickets to a forthcoming show to the ones he judges best.  Read more…

8th January

• Russell  Tweets, “Hi everyone, i’ve seen your tweets about the forum. Unfortunately we didn’t run it and we don’t know where its gone!“
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• Russell’s latest ‘Blog‘ on his website confirms the date of the second of his two “Songs Of Praise” programmes as Sunday 27th January.

7th January

Russell’s Official Forum  ‘disappeared’ suddenly this afternoon, to be replaced by a message to say that it was not to be found on the site’s server.

6th January

• Anthems  takes the No 4 spot in Classic FM’s “Top 30 classical music albums of 2012” and Russell is also featured twice on “The Classical Album 2013” at No 5 in the same chart!
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• The Pentagon Channel (US Military network) posts a link to their recording of a “Command Performance” interview that Russell did with them during his trip to Washington in July.  It’s worth a look if you haven’t seen it before.

4th January

The first of Russell’s “changes” takes place with a new background on his  official website; instead of the wintery scene there’s now a short slideshow. Very nice.  And it’s followed by an update to his ‘blog’ page with some brief news about his plans for the coming year that include a new CD, the possibility of “international” dates and a UK Tour at the end of the year.  Read the full post  here…

1st January 2013

After Tweeting, “Happy New year everyone, I wish you all the very best for 2013 x” Russell Tweeted, ”I’m going to make some changes this year ! Any resolutions planned tweeps ?? #newbroomsweepsclean2013“.
Some changes, eh?  Russell not being one to do things by halves, we wonder what’s afoot; new record label,  bigger house, church or registry office… speculation is rife but useless, we’ll find out in due course.

29th December 2012

David Allen, on his BBC Radio Solent programme, dedicates Someone To Remember Me as a fitting tribute to Della Tyson who frequently contacted the show, and other radio stations, to request songs by Russell.

‘Listen Again’ on  BBC iPlayer  until 5th January 2013 (about 55 mins in).

28th December

Decca records announce a compilation album entitled ‘Russell Watson : Amore – The Opera Album’ will be released on 4th February 2013 via the usual major retailers.  Expect to pay around £6.  Catalogue Number: 4810101.  Available from  Amazon.co.uk, Play.com  and  HMV.

25th December

Russell seems to be prone to catching a cold whenever he finishes a Tour or major engagement and Tweets, “Non stop work for months , then somebody mentions the word HOLIDAY – annnnnd you inevitably catch a cold !! #whyisthat? Achooo“ and later,  after the broadcast of ‘Carols With Corrie’, “Thanks for all your lovely comments tonight ! It’s the season of goodwill , happy Christmas everyone xxx“.  To which we can only respond, “Thanks, Russell; same to you!”

24th December

• The recorded Christmas Service ’Carols With Corrie’ is broadcast on ITV.  Russell sang O Holy Night and  Ave Maria.  It’s available to watch on  ITV Player  until 22nd January 2013.
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• We sadly learn of the passing of  Della Tyson, a great fan of Russell’s from Florida, on Tuesday 18th December.  Our condolences to her family. Many Russellers met Della at concerts and maintained contact via the Forums and Facebook.  She will be missed.

21st December

Russell stars at the final performance of Raymond Gubbay’s Christmas Festival at the Royal Albert Hall and later Tweets, ”Thank you for all your good wishes ! Had a super day at the RAH with a wonderful group of people #keepmusiclive“

20th December

• Another brief appearance for Russell in ITV’s Text Santa Celebrity Advent Calendar, timing himself with a long note at the end of ‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’, “and a Christmas song su-ung by meeeeeeeee… eeee…  “.   Phew!

• Russell appeared briefly several times to comment on the enthusiasm of the Olympians and the mood of the nation in a “Tonight” special programme that looked back over the year, “2012 and the best of British”.
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  Available on  ITV Player  until 18th January 2013. If viewing after 27th December 2012 you will need to register, free of charge, to be able to watch.

19th December

• Plug and Play, the company that built Russell’s new website, have used it as a model to advertise their expertise… and why not.
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• Russell stars at Smooth Radio’s ‘Love Live Music at Christmas‘ at the Union Chapel in Islington tonight.
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• Charity group ‘Jimmy’s Bluebelles‘ offer a 2013 calendar on ebay that was signed by both Russell and Matt Cardle at the Preston Christmas Lights Switch-On.  There are three (3) available.  More is ‘revealed’ on their Facebook page…

18th December

Russell reprises his ‘star guest’ performances for Raymond Gubbay’s  Christmas Carolling concert but at the Royal Albert Hall.

17th December

Russell appears as the star guest at Raymond Gubbay’s Christmas Carolling concert at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.  Hosted by Russell Grant with ‘our’ Russell making appearances between songs and carols from James Graeme, Sophie Evans, Capital Voices and The Kinder Children’s Choir of the High Peak.  More to follow after the RAH concerts.

15th December

We learn of a recently posted YouTube video of Russell at the fans’ get-together in Tokyo on 2oth October.  It shows Russell and ‘Sir Bill’ entering and then Russell begins to sing Aprile.
Read more…

13th December

• The ‘hanky doodle’ that Russell donated to Godolphin & Latymer School’s silent auction helped raise £8,200.oo  to be used to provide bursaries to the school and also fund literacy programmes at four local state primary schools.  Excellent result.
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• Russell has also donated a signed  ‘ITV Text Santa cue card‘ to the Text Santa ebay auction.   Six days left to bid : ends at 08.01am Thursday 20th December.
  You know you want it…
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• There’s also a  ‘bundle‘  of things that Russell’s signed up for auction on ebay in aid of  Bluebell Wood  Children’s Hospice.  Three days left to bid : ends at 9.40pm Sunday 16th December.

12th December

Well, everything has changed.  Russell’s new  website  is up and running and it looks superb.  Long may it remain so.  Russell has said that he will do more ‘blogging’ through the site and he has begun by asking folk to send pictures of their  Christmas trees  to him via Twitter (but he’s not asked that via Twitter, only via the web page ‘blog’).

10th December

Today’s the day that Russell’s new website is launched. Up to present there has been no change (for us) but the company responsible for building the new site has said that all the changes have been made but they take time to work their way around the internet and for everything to ‘synchronise’, so it’s now just a case of waiting.  The new site will be available at  http://www.russellwatson.com  which is the same address as the old site (as had been provided by Sony) but if you have continued to use  http://www.russell-watson.com  (as had been provided by Decca) this has also been re-directing to the new website and will probably continue to do so.

Some people are now able to access the site and report it to be ‘fabulous’.  It appears to depend on your Service Provider (ISP) at the moment. Vodafone 3G can get it but Virgin and Sky aren’t picking it up yet even though there are folk in Australia and Japan reporting they can get it.  (3.45pm).

8th December

This afternoon Russell Tweeted, “@tenovuscancer I want to see a follow up on channel 4 to ‘singing for their lives’ !! Who else does ? RT everyone #singingfortheirlives2“.  As well as Re-Tweeting it might help to add (or adapt to include) Channel 4′s official Twitter names of either @C4Insider and/or @4Viewers.   It’s also possible to use “4Viewers” Contact Us form on their website to leave feedback and support the idea of a further programme.

7th December

It’s noted from the Warner Leisure Hotels  website  that a new ‘Meet The Stars’ weekend break with Russell has been added online (not in the printed catalogue).  The new break is over the weekend of 30th August – 1st September 2013 at the Cricket St.Thomas Hotel, Chard, Somerset.   (The first break at Thoresby Hall over 23rd – 25th August is ‘sold out’)

6th December

Russell’s Twitter and Facebook accounts reveal that his NEW website will be launched on Monday (10th December) at the same URL address of  www.russellwatson.com.

There’s an invitation to ‘sign up for the newsletter’ for a chance to win a pair of tickets to one of the ‘Christmas Carolling’ concerts at either the Royal Albert Hall or Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall;  it’s not clear if that’s referring to the current newsletter offered by Sony or a new one to accompany the new website (we hope).

5th December

Russell briefly appeared, wearing a Text Santa hat, close to the end of today’s Text Santa Celebrity Advent Calendar  video clip (approx 2 minutes in), to promise “Your donation WILL make a difference“…

: : : : : : : : : ; ; ; ; ;Watch the video here…

4th December

• A number of pictures from the recording of the ‘Carols With Corrie’ programme, to be screened by ITV on Christmas Eve, are found in the album of that name on the  Facebook  page of Nicholas Bundock, Rector of St. James and Emmanuel churches, including several really good ones of Russell.  Read a little more about the event and the programme on the church’s  website…
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• Russell Tweets this afternoon, “Was a great trip to Korea and made some new friends at AIG !!! Straight into filming for the tonight show today #ifyouknowwhatimean” - unfortunately we don’t know what he means as the only ‘Tonight Show’ we know of is the US late-night talk show… maybe it’s something for Stateside?  All will be revealed in due course (we hope).

1st December

Jocelyn Brown releases a 4-track digital-only “Christmas EP with Jocelyn Brown and friends“ (MP3 from Amazon  and for iPod from iTunes).  Russell features with Jocelyn on Track 3, Agnus Dei.  Publicity material says that for Track 4, a fun version of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, it’s “all hands on deck” which suggests that all the friends are involved but we can’t make out Russell – unless he’s doing one of his infamous ‘funny voices’.

30th November

29th November

• Russell is billed to star at Hampton Court Palace Festival, “The godfather of classical crossover RUSSELL WATSON plays Hampton Court Palace Festival on Sunday 16th June, with special guests AMORE.”

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