‘The only time I ever got nervous was meeting my hero Sir Alex Ferguson’: 10 Questions for singer Russell Watson

RUSSELL WATSON left school with no qualifications to start work in a factory.

He sang at night in working men’s clubs and won a radio talent contest which eventually led to his debut album. The Voice stayed at No 1 in the classical albums chart for a year.

He has won four Classic Brit Awards and brings his full orchestra to Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo on Saturday.

Is touring a load of fun or just a pain?

It can be both. At the halfway point on any tour the energy levels always drop and I have to become like a team manager, cracking the whip and geeing everyone up.

Do you have outbursts?

What, you mean behave like a diva? Never. I don’t have time for all that. I don’t cultivate an image, instead I just try to be myself.

Do you ever get fed up singing Nessun Dorma?

Sometimes, yes. I call it Nessun bloody Dorma as I’ve sung it for more than 20 years. But if I get bored I just replace it for a while with something else. My show is never the same twice.

Sinatra or Pavarotti?

I’d choose Sinatra, not because he was a better singer but because his influence on music, and people, was greater. Luciano Pavarotti was the greatest singer who ever lived.

What’s the best thing about turning 50 last year?

After almost dying with brain tumours 10 years ago the best thing about being 50 is simply being alive (laughs). I don’t constantly worry about my health. Life’s too short for that.

Ever get nervous meeting your heroes?

I’ve sung for the Emperor of Japan, the Pope, a few Presidents and the Queen, but the only time I ever got tongue-tied and nervous was meeting my hero Sir Alex Ferguson.

When do fans take you by surprise?

I used to do a session on stage where I let fans ask me anything. I once got the question: “How much is in your bank account?” But the best was when I was asked: “Is that your real hair?”

The piece of music that moves you most?

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, 18th Variation. I start crying every time I hear it. My gran introduced me to classical music and it brings back so many memories.

Pick two albums you couldn’t live without.

I’ll go for The Essential Pavarotti, and then Thriller by Michael Jackson. I met Jackson’s producer Quincy Jones in a restaurant once. That was memorable.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

Fried bread, then a game of tennis, meat pie with a sausage roll for lunch, afternoon on my PlayStation, steak with pepper sauce for dinner, more PlayStation, then a Jacuzzi with champagne. My wife would say that’s a normal day for me.