Opera star Russell Watson: 'I thought I wouldn't survive my tumour horror'

In his first live interview since the surgery, Watson said doctors told him it was "touch and go" as he flitted in and out of consciousness.

He said: "I remember thinking 'Oh dear, I don't think I'm going to make it this time'."

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Heading home: Russell Watson leaving hospital with his daughters after having brain surgery in October

Watson was discharged from hospital in Cheshire at the end of October after the three-hour operation to remove a tumour.

The Salford-born singer fell ill while putting the finishing touches to his new album.

It was his second operation on the tumour in 12 months.

He was first struck down with it last year and underwent an operation.

But scans revealed the tumour had grown back after he complained of headaches and loss of vision.

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Russell in his last live performance, was in a critical condition after a tumour was found to have 'regrown'

Speaking on the phone to GMTV presenter Kate Garraway, the Salford-born singer said: "I actually felt like I was well on the road to recovery and then I went for a follow-up scan a little while ago and they told me there was some re-growth, but obviously I wasn't aware of the severity until the day I was rushed into hospital.

"It was very scary.

"My vision had gone, and basically when I was rushed into hospital I was very, very ill and, there was no question, the doctors told me when I arrived it was touch and go.

"I wasn't really that aware of what was going on anyway. I was flitting in and out of consciousness.

"I remember hearing lots of medical people saying words like 'haemorrhage' and lots of very scary things."

The 41-year-old, who has two daughters - Hannah, eight, and Rebecca, 13 - is known as The Voice.

There were fears the tenor's abilities could be damaged after doctors were forced to perform surgery through his mouth.

But, speaking in a slightly croaky tone from his Manchester home, Watson said he did not think the surgery would affect his singing voice.

He said: "There won't be any singing for me for a while."

But he also said he wanted to release his new album for the fans.

Outside In is currently at number 24 in the charts.

Watson said his frame of mind was positive but he has a "new fight" in the New Year when he starts a long course of radiotherapy.

"I'm not really looking forward to that but I think that maybe when it starts I will feel like this will be the end and there will be no comeback for the tumour next year."