“I don’t see myself as brave, I think of myself as lucky”: Life according to… Russell Watson

The People’s Tenor look s back on 20 years in music, dinner with the Emperor of Japan and refusing to be defined by illness.

It’s 20 years since your debut album – how does it feel?

I remember going into the studio for the first time. I was young, nervous and intimidated. It only feels like a week ago, but then I think of all the highs and lows of the past 20 years – singing for Pope John Paul II and The Queen, all my health issues and the recoveries – and it feels like I’ve lived two lifetimes in that time.

Do you have a standout moment?

Performing at the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in my hometown of Manchester with all of those people watching, and doing a gig for the Emperor of Japan. After the 45-minute set, he requested I join him for dinner. There were about 3,000 people at the palace, but I was told to sit next to him.

How did you pick the songs to go on your latest album, 20?

There were ones that chose themselves, like Nessun Dorma, which has underpinned my entire career, and Volare, as well as things like the Star Trek theme tune I recorded. The rest were ones I thought the fans would want.

And it was a very socially distanced recording process?

Yes, my producer was in New Zealand, so he sat in his studio and I was in my home studio in Cheshire. I sang to the orchestra tracks and he told me what to do. The great thing was, if he started to annoy me, I could just turn the computer screen to the wall!

How do you feel about people always mentioning your two brain tumour battles?

I don’t mind people talking about it if it helps others who are going through something similar to believe they can get through it. But now I’m Russell who survived two brain tumours. It follows me around. It supersedes everything I’ve done. Yes, it was a tough time in my life, it nearly killed me, but I feel I’ve overcome it. I don’t see myself as brave or wanting sympathy, I think of myself as lucky.

How do you sum up 2020?

The day I was meant to be performing at the Royal Albert Hall, I was jet-washing the patio in the garden, covered head to toe in dirt.

When do you hope to tour again?

The tour was supposed to be in the first quarter of this year, then we moved it to the autumn, then the start of 2021 and now it looks like it’ll be the end of 2021.

Do you worry about the industry?

Rishi Sunak’s comments about people in the industry having to retrain were stupid. I’d like to know where the jobs are for the 190,000 people once they do retrain.

Russell Watson’s new album, 20, is out now.