________________________________________________________________

Follow the  purple links  for more on that topic.
________________________________________________________________

31st December 2015

Russell sends ‘Happy New Year’ greetings to everyone from himself and Louise …

Happy New Year, Russell and Louise, and all you ‘Russellers’ around the world!

23rd December

Russell posts a lovely message to fans via a YouTube video that is also a great look back over the past year…

Thanks to you, Russell, and all your Team.  We look forward all the more to 2016.

22nd December

The final part of Russell’s interview with Becky Want is now available on BBC Radio Manchester. Scroll, first, to 1 hour 43 minutes to hear ‘O Sole Mio’ and Russell talking about plans for next year (2016), and then on to 2 hours 10 minutes for more.

15th December

The second part of Russell’s conversation with Becky Want is available from 1 hour 37 minutes on BBC Radio Manchester.

14th December

BBC Radio Manchester’s Becky Want has recorded a new interview with Russell that is being aired in several parts throughout this week. The first part was broadcast today by Stephanie Hirst, sitting in for Becky this afternoon. You can ‘Listen Again’ from 1 hour 34 minutes into today’s programme up to Nessun Dorma.  More to follow tomorrow …

11th December

More showings for “Brass Band Wonderland”

8th December

Sky TV’s programme guide confirms the first showing of “Brass Band Wonderland”as being on Wednesday 16th December, as given on Russell’s Official website, from 9pm to 10.30pm

Further showings are expected but check Sky’s EPG from time to time as those shown on the Accessibility TV Guide differ from those originally given on Russell’s OS and also from those in the printed Christmas edition of TV Times magazine.

24th November

Russell celebrates his 49th birthday on the first day of his four-date visit to Ireland with a knock-out concert at Belfast’s Waterfront Theatre

20th November

12th November

Louise Tweets…

No clues given, so no guesses from us at this stage – just best wishes for their continued happiness – but we can’t help wondering if it isn’t connected to the earlier Tweet from Milan.

Russell, having earlier Tweeted pictures from an aircraft high above the Alps, Tweets a photo of La Scala in Milan, calling it a #dreamvenue.

Notably, Hayley also appears to have been in Milan with Russell and we wonder if this may have been a “business trip”…  we’ll wait and see.

7th November

Russell resumes from ‘sick leave’ with a knock-out show at Lytham that we review on our Facebook Page…

3rd November

Russell was amongst the mourners today at Kirsty Howard’s funeral in Manchester and after the service he spoke briefly to reporters, paying tribute to Kirsty’s life-long courage.  The following clip is from BBC North West Tonight…

The clip may take a few moments to display

A memorial fund has been set up to honour Kirsty’s achievements and help continue the work of Francis House Children’s Hospice.  Donations can be made via their “JustGiving” page or by text message “KHFH70” followed by the amount up to £10 to 70070.

29th October

Following an announcement on ‘Lunchtime Live’ with Jeremy Sallis on BBC Radio Cambridge that Saturday’s concert at The Cresset in Peterborough is cancelled due to Russell’s continuing illness a full list of revisions was posted on Russell’s media.  As it wasn’t possible to fix a new date before Christmas at The Cresset it had been decided to cancel and refund ticket money.  You can Listen Again from 26 minutes into the programme. The latest news is that the show is to be re-scheduled after all… to 12th August next year. Don’t throw away those tickets!

Latest revisions :

Tuesday 27th October – Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth
New Date –
Monday 14th December 2015

27th October

Russell’s Team send their thanks for all the good wishes following last night’s cancellation of the show in Shanklin.

26th October

Tonight’s show at the Shanklin Theatre has been cancelled at short notice after Russell took ill at the sound check.  Tomorrow’s show at Southsea is also cancelled.  Please see the official announcement on Russell’s website or his Facebook Page (below).

It’s hoped that both shows can be re-scheduled so keep tight hold of your tickets and watch for further information.

24th October

Very, very sad to learn, this morning, of Kirsty Howard’s passing.  Kirsty fronted the fundraising campaign for Francis House Children’s Hospice in Didsbury, Manchester and Russell, as many of you will know, was a supporter who became a close friend as well as a Patron of the charity.

The news was broken in the early hours by the Daily Mirror.

Our sincere condolences to Kirsty’s family, friends and supporters.

17th October

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM RUSSELL :

“We are very sorry to announce that Russell has been taken ill with the flu and is not going to be well enough to perform tomorrow (Saturday 17th October) at The Embassy Theatre, Skegness.

5th October

The last three dates for next year’s “Songs From The Heart Tour” are announced for Liverpool, Manchester and Northampton.  All the dates are now on Russell’s official website’s “Dates” page as well as our own, and we’ve added a list in alphabetical order to make it easier to discover if Russell is performing near to you.

16th September

Russell shares a little secret on Facebook… the one he told half the country on Saturday!

13th September

As they promised, BBC iPlayer presents all four of the Proms In The Park concerts.  Russell’s full set of O Sole Mio, Bring Him Home, Aprile and Volare at Hyde Park is shown but concert coverage ends abruptly after The Jacksons’ set so we don’t see the finalé where Russell returned to the stage for Jersusalem.

Watch on BBC iPlayer from  2 hours 5 minutes in, after Terry Wogan’s introduction.

Before taking to the stage, Russell joined Ken Bruce in Radio 2’s tepee studio for a few words, probably the most significant of which were that he would be undertaking a “large scale UK Tour” in 2016 and then “planning on heading around the world and getting back out into areas that I’ve not been to for a while“

Listen Again on iPlayer Radio from 1 hour 56 minutes.

12th September

+

Tonight Russell will be leading the Last Night Celebrations at the BBC Proms In The Park in Hyde Park, London.

Listen Live from 7pm on BBC Radio 2  –

Russell will be chatting to Ken Bruce around 7pm ahead of his appearance on stage around 8pm

“Last Night of the Proms and Proms in the Park 2015 – How to Watch and Listen 

There will be “selected highlights” from Hyde Park, London and three other cities shown via the Red Button, the BBC’s interactive service.

The ‘regular’ channels of BBC1 and BBC2 will broadcast The Last Night Of The Proms from the Royal Albert Hall.

Last time Russell appeared at Proms In The Park, coverage via terrestrial Freeview changed to one of the regional concerts just as he came on stage but coverage via satellite broadcaster Sky stayed with him at Hyde Park.

1st September

Russell posts a special message on his Official Facebook Page…

31st  August

Russell’s recent marriage to Louise Harris in Spain is reported by Pam Francis over eleven pages with photographs (pages 6 to 16) in this week’s Hello! Magazine.

Issue #1395 for the week ending 7th September is in the shops now or available as a Digital edition.

There’s also a brief article in The Sentinel.

22nd August

Russell’s brilliant outdoor concert at the lovely Gawsworth Hall on 10th July is featured on the ‘Society’ page (page 55) of the September edition of Cheshire Life magazine (out now).

Russell, the “towering tenor” is featured in AgeUK’s review of their 2014 Celebrity Christmas Carol Concert from St. Paul’s Cathedral that also  previews this year’s ‪#‎LoveChristmas‬.   Russell is in a number of  pictures in a slideshow along with several concert-goers – we recognise one familiar face!

11th August

On Wednesday 19th August, BBC Alba will be showing the ‘Cuide ri Cathy’ episode again where Cathy MacDonald met Russell in 2012 and was shown around his Cheshire home, including his own recording studio.

Currently scheduled for broadcast from 10pm on Wednesday with a further showing from 11pm on Friday 21st August.

As well as Freeview in Scotland (channel 8) and via BBC iPlayer, BBC Alba is available on
Sky : channel 143 (or 132 in HD)
Virgin Media : channel 161
Freesat : channel 110
Astra 2E : 10803 H 22000 5/6

1st August

On Twitter, Louise is “Very Excited!!”

Russell looks happy, too.

Steve Flanagan Tweeted a picture, not necessarily taken today, of Russell with family and friends…

2nd July

Russell’s “HQ” Twitter confirms yesterday’s news of the concert at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome on Sunday 19th July and a post is added to his official website.

1st July

19th June

The atmosphere at Wrexham last night was superb and Russell was given a very, very warm welcome.  It was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable concerts we’ve had the pleasure of attending.  Russell added Simon and Garfunkel’s The Sound Of Silence and Neil Diamond’s Hello Again to the first half, with Frankie  Goes To Hollywod’s The Power Of Love and – explaining his feelings for life post-tumour surgery – an emotional  It’s A Wonderful World to the second half repertoire.   He said that he would definitely be back at Wrexham next year and promised to sing Calon Lan!

11th June

Russell’s official blog confirms the Hexham Courant report from earlier in the week – that Carly Paoli’s “Concert At The Castle” in Otterburn has been cancelled.  Meanwhile, his own Up Close And Personal Tour resumes with ‘sold out’ concerts at Malvern tonight and Weston-super-Mare tomorrow.

8th June

Disappointing news this morning from the organisers of the ‘Concert At The Castle’, where Russell was to have been one of Carly Paoli’s international guests, via the Hexham Courant, saying that it  is to be postponed and may not be re-scheduled.

31st May

Returning from the States, Russell continues his Tour at several venues in the south of England, including Eastbourne, where he and his special guest Rebecca Newman make suitable impressions.  Online radio host Richard J Hannah is particularly taken with each of them and devotes airtime to recommending them, along with track plays, on his “Big H Radio Show” (32/2015) starting from around 12 minutes in.

27th May

Russell’s emotional performance of  You’ll Be In My Heart from the Memorial Day Concert…

With special thanks to Dustin Ginsberg for the clip

24th May

While Russell is in the US for tonight’s National Memorial Day concert he and #RW_HQ have been posting pictures from the rehearsals

while the professional photographers have been having theirs posted online to sites such Newzcard…

and late in the evening a brief ‘teaser’ clip is posted to YouTube…

Russell sang You’ll Be In My Heart

22nd May

There’s an interview with Russell by Joanna Davis in the Dorset Echo‘s Entertainment Guide that’s accompanied by some excellent photos from the Tour by Ian Tilton.

20th May

19th May

Russell was on BBC Radio Northampton with Bernie Keith this morning, around 10.45am.  You can Listen Again from 1 hour 42 minutes, starting with ‘Volare’.

15th May

Russell announces that there’s a new Twitter account for “all things Russell”

so make sure you’re ‘Following’ the new account @RussellWatsonHQ

If you can’t get along to any of the Tour venues to buy your merchandise from the stall, you can request an order form from Josh by email on  admin@lavocetouring.com

11th May

Russell is the first star to be named as performing at this year’s BBC Proms In the Park in Hyde Park, London on Saturday 12th September 2015.

The news is broken on Ken Bruce’s BBC Radio 2 programme while Russell was on a phone-in chat and you can Listen Again from 1 hour 54 minutes into the show.   Ken refers to Russell as a ‘national treasure’.  Too true.  More names will be revealed during this coming week and tickets will go on sale from 11am on Friday 15th May.

6th May

PBS posts a longer preview video for the National Memorial Day Concert…

29th April

Russell has been honoured by being invited back to Washington DC to perform again at the National Memorial Day Concert.  There’s a brief preview video that confirms his appearance, along with that of Katherine Jenkins.

BBC sport posts another video clip from the Snooker World Championships, this time of celebrities commenting on the 1985 final when Dennis Taylor won against favourite Steve Davis… Russell describes the moment as “cataclysmic”.

Yesterday, Russell was at the Royal Albert Hall to open the two performances of Follies In Concert and there is a slideshow of pictures – including a few of Russell – on the website of professional photographer Darren Bell.

24th April

During an interval in the BBC2 coverage of the Snooker World Championships Russell swapped singing tips for snooker tips with legend Steve Davis.  Watch the clip on YouTube…

21st April

The “Up Close And Personal Tour 2015” resumes at Norwich after Russell’s throat infection forced the deferment of three shows.

Thank you @TheatreRNorwich. I had a fantastic night. Thank you all again for your support & get well wishes xx http://t.co/Btbk8Pp8S4—
Russell Watson (@russellthevoice) April 21, 2015

20th April

Radio station Forth 2 are giving away a pair of tickets to see Russell at the Queens Hall, Edinburgh on 11th May; you just have to answer a simple question correctly (and the answer is in the text if you don’t already know it) to be in with a chance of winning.   52!

17th April

A completely new Tour date appears, unannounced, on Russell’s OS Dates page for Southport Theatre  on Tuesday 6th October 2015.  Tickets are on sale now.

Unfortunately, Russell’s throat infection hasn’t cleared up and tomorrow’s performance at The Baths Hall, Scunthorpe is cancelled.  The venue posts to Facebook that the show will be re-scheduled to Saturday 24th October 2015.

Wishing you well soon, Russell, and we’ll hope to see you in October.

16th April

Re-scheduled dates are posted for the cancelled concerts at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil and at City Hall, Salisbury.  Patrons are to be contacted by the venues.

15th April

On medical advice, Russell has reluctantly had to cancel tonight’s performance at Salisbury City Hall and thanks fans for their understanding and patience.  Anyone with tickets should be contacted directly by the venue regarding rescheduling or refunds.

On a lighter note, the BBC posts a Celebrity Snooker Quiz where Russell is one of the contestants.  Thank goodness it’s just a bit of fun… “where did cribbage come from…?”

Looking to the future, another new date is advertised by Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire, for Monday 28th September, although it’s not (yet) on the OS.

14th April

Breaking News :  Russell cancels tonight’s show in Yeovil due to throat infection

+

Ahead of his show in Norwich, Radio North Norfolk (online) have an interview with Russell on their website, by way of answering four questions.  In the fourth part he hints that material for the next album may well be an eclectic mix of his “favourite stuff from the last 25 years“… which sounds a bit like the repertoire for the current Tour.  Bring it on!

8th April

Russell is expected to be on British Forces ‘Radio Salisbury Plain’ tomorrow between 8am – 9am talking with Chris Sturgess about music, baked beans and The Wombles.  Listen Live.   # Chris has posted parts 1 and 2 of their chat online at AudioBoom #

5th April

Russell was featured in “Desert Island Pics” in the Mail On Sunday’s “Events” magazine. 31st March 2015

The Lowry theatre Tweets that Russell last week ‘named a seat’ there as part of the drive to promote their Artistic Fund, investing in new work, nurturing talent and opening up more opportunities for young people.  Other donors include Simon Callow and Russell Howard.

The particular seat he’s named is B40 in the Circle of the Lyric Theatre. The plaque to be affixed to the seat is on order and should be in place soon.  Fellow fans might like to know that the seats either side of that are both currently available to be named, in case they would like to ‘purchase’ a seat next to his… cosy!

30th March 2015

Russell appears on BBC Breakfast to promote Follies In Concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 28th April.  Please see the Interviews page.  Manchester Evening news has a gallery of pictures of his early-morning arrival at Media City.

26th March 2015

Russell (The People’s Tenor) receives recognition via CNN iReport as one of the world’s top three ‘Popera’ tenors.  The other two are Italy’s Alessandro Safina (the Tenor from Sienna) and South Korea’s Lim Hyung-joo (The Voice Of Heaven).   It so happens that Alessandro Safina is also one of Carly Paoli’s guests at “The Concert At The Castle”.

25th March 2015

There’s now a ‘splash screen’ message on Carly Paoli‘s website that continues to tease about “The Concert At The Castle” (Otterburn Castle Country House Hotel) on Sunday 12th July.  José Carreras and Russell are shown amongst her internationally renowned guests but anyone interested in the event is invited to submit their details via email.

24th March 2015 Russell‘s Official Facebook Page and his website Blog page now have details of 23 dates for the Autumn part of his ‪#‎UpCloseAndPersonalTour2015‬.  There’s good news for Irish fans, with November dates in ‪#‎Belfast‬, ‪#‎Derry‬, ‪#‎Cork‬ and ‪#‎Wexford‬.  There are also two dates on the lovely island of ‪#‎Jersey‬.

23rd March 2015

Carly Paoli’s Facebook Page continues to tease with a “check back here for more information” post in reference to the ‘Concert at the Castle’ event, for which we can find no other information yet… so we’ll check back. + Tickets for Russell’s concert at the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, on Friday 20th November, part of the Autumn leg of his “Intimate Evenings – Up Close And Personal Tour 2015”, are on sale NOW! Marina Theatre, Lowestoft  :  Tickets + Another venue advertises that tickets are NOW on sale ahead of Russell’s anticipated official announcement – The Kings Theatre, Southsea, Portsmouth on Tuesday 27th October. The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth  :  Tickets

22nd March 2015

Tucked away almost as an aside in a Mail On Sunday article about Carly Paoli performing duets with José Carreras at Nothumberland’s Otterburn Castle on 12th July is a reference to Russell also appearing.

20th March 2015

The Press (The Press News) has a gossip feature called Ann’s Angle where today’s issue reports that Russell “would truly love a crack at a Bond theme”.   

19th March 2015

Russell’s next studio album (working title The Voice 2) is due for release later this year, probably around Christmastime, and there’s now a form on Russell’s official website to allow registration of interest so as to be kept informed of developments.

16th March 2015

There’s the most complimentary review of the Cheltenham Town Hall concert by Corrie Bond-French in the Gloucester Citizen, describing Russell’s performance as “flawless” and his duet with special guest (blonde bombshell) Rebecca Newman as “a match made in Heaven”.

11th March 2015

Wirral-based tenor Tom Spence is to be a special support artist with a set at the start of the concert at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, on 27th March

10th March 2015

Robert Mckelvey reviews the 6th March show at York Barbican in the York Press.

5th March 2015

Our review of the Whitley Bay concert via our Facebook page…

4th March 2015

The “Up Close And Personal” Tour starts to a packed and appreciative Whitley Bay Playhouse.

27th February 2015

Russell was on the ITV regional news programme, Granada Reports, talking to Tim Scott about his preparations for the “Up Close And Personal” Tour.  The interview took place at Russell’s Wilmslow home and the pair played a few frames of pool.  Ed Rugman accompanied Russell’s vocal practice.  The video clip is available on their website and it can be viewed outside the UK.

26th February 2015

Russell confirms he’s on tonight’s “Thursday Focus” on MUTV, a subscription channel available available via Sky or Virgin Media

He had been due to appear on the programme on 29th January but it was deferred.

23rd February 2015

19th February 2015

After the ITV newsfeed reports that Russell “may” include some new material on tour later in the year he Tweets…

… so go over and ReTweet or Favourite (or both!).

18th February 2015

After a further radio interview this afternoon – with Leighton Jones of Swansea Sound – all is fairly quiet until late evening when Russell Tweets…

Well, we’re glad you’re home safely, Russell.  2015 is shaping up nicely.

17th February 2015

Several radio interviews, today, coincident with the publication of Ruth Supple’s piece in Image Magazines.  Please see the ‘Interviews‘ page for links to ‘Listen Again’.  Briefly, amid the joking and general chatter about the forthcoming Tour – that is, apparently, being sponsored by ‘Shake & Vac‘ – Russell confirms that he’ll shortly be announcing 20 more dates for later in the year and lets slip that he will be marrying Louise in August, though details are under wraps due to contractual arrangements over magazine coverage.  Hello, is that OK?

16th February 2015

Rehearsals begin today for Russell’s 50+ date “Intimate Evenings” Tour that starts on 4th March and Rebecca Newman joins Russell, Ed Rugman and Masquerade String Quartet at an undisclosed theatre (that appears to be Crewe Lyceum) from where she  kindly sheds a tiny bit of  light on the usually unseen preparations…

13th February 2015

Russell sang at ‘The Love Ball‘ at The Mere in Knutsford where over £100,000 was raised for research into Alzheimer’s Disease.  Great result!

6th February 2015

Russell invites fans to suggest songs for his next album which, if things are on track, we expect to be released around Christmastime although it’s not intended as a ‘Christmas Album’.  Offer suggestions directly to Russell via his Facebook page or Twitter.

Today’s BIG news, though, is that Russell has revealed his guest support artist for the forthcoming ‘Up Close And Personal’ tour is to be Rebecca Newman.

Rebecca acquired the title of “The People’s Soprano” because she takes her music to the streets of York and other towns around the north-east of the country.  In fact, that’s where we first heard her, some years ago, in the square by Marks & Spencer in York.  She is not signed to a major record label and self-funded her own album ‘Dare To Dream‘ after winning an international award through Artist Signal.  The album shot straight to #1 in the UK Official Classical Chart and to #1 on the Classic FM chart the following week.

She was one of several less-well-known, local  performers warming up the audience for Russell at The Blue Bell Hotel’s “Party In The Park” concert at Burton Agnes in 2013 but she didn’t duet with him on that occasion so we’re hoping that will be rectified soon.

29th January 2015

Being ‘snowed in’ means Russell has to defer his planned appearance on MUTV’s “Thursday Focus” …

but it does give him time to have some R & R with Louise…

28th January 2015

Russell posts a brief collage of video clips on YouTube from several venues on the Candlelight Christmas (Cathedrals) Tour …

Being a staunch “Reds” fan, Russell tells Gemma Thompson of Manchester United’s “FanZone” what his all-time ultimate First XI would be and why.

Still with Old Trafford’s finest, Russell HQ posts that he will be on MUTV’s “Thursday Focus” tomorrow evening from 6.30pm.  The programme is repeated several times…

MUTV is a subscription channel costing £6 per month via Sky TV or Virgin Media. Please take great care if attempting to use apparently ‘free’ online streaming services!

23rd January 2015

The James Whale Radio Show interview is now available as a podcast from James’ radio programme’s website.

It starts just about 10 minutes into the show and runs for a good half-hour with a play-out of Someone To Remember Me.  A great, wide-ranging interview with Russell being open and candid about his life.  Do have a listen.

Significant snippet… Russell says there’ll be around 20 more dates to his “Intimate Evenings” later in the year!

Also, Russell posts a video on YouTube of himself and Ed Rugman with various choirs from the Candlelight Christmas (Cathedrals) Tour… it’s all rather “cheesy” (pardon the pun) but great mementos for those involved.

Our own favourite would have to be the Barnton schoolchildren who were brilliant at Liverpool.

22nd January 2015

Russell says, “Great interview with @THEJamesWhale today ! We will let you all know when the show will air soon 🙂 #watsonwithwhale“.  So that’s another interview to look forward to.

Twitter and Facebook posts say that Russell will be supported on his forthcoming tour by Masquerade String Quartet

20th January 2015

Another interview to watch out for…

Editor of Image Magazines (Northamptonshire) Ruth Supple interviewed Russell today and described him as a “top bloke” who regaled her with some “amazing tales” ahead of his concert at the Derngate Theatre in Northampton (10th April 2015).

The interview is due to be published in their March edition as well as in Johnston Press syndicated titles across the UK.

19th January 2015

Shropshire online entertainment guide Native Monster  previews Russell’s concerts at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (2nd and 3rd July 2015) with an interview by Jennifer Meierhans.

16th January 2015

Russell’s appearance in “Follies in Concert” is confirmed on his official Facebook page.

15th January 2015

Yet to be  confirmed on Russell’s Official pages  but the Royal Albert Hall are advertising “Follies in concert” for  Matinee and Evening performances featuring Russell on Tuesday 28th April 2015 …

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP Telephone : 020 7838 3109 Tickets  on sale NOW +++

13th January 2015

This evening, ITV4 repeated an earlier broadcast of ‘The Chase Celebrity Special’ where Russell was one of four celebrities all trying to win money for their favourite charities. The questions were tough and … well, we won’t spoil it for those who may not have seen the original programme or tonight’s showing but the team acquitted themselves well against ‘Chaser’ Paul Sinha who was on top form.

It’s now available on ITV Player for the next 30 days…

9th January 2015

As he gears up for his next Tour, Russell’s making sure his fitness isn’t in doubt …

6th January 2015

ANOTHER new date added to Russell’s “Intimate Evenings” Tour; this time for Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn for Thursday, 2nd July 2015 (as well as Friday 3rd).

The new date added only recently at the Alive Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn, for Wednesday 22nd April 2015 has sold so well already that there are only a few seats left (33 at last check) for this additional performance.

5th January 2015

Russell’s already looking forward to the next Tour…

and so are we!

++

Russell’s New Year Message for 2015 …

+

Vis

For earlier news, please see

News Archive : 2014

News Archive : 2013