Some Russell articles

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

here are some articles

http://www.southmanchesterreporter.co.uk/news/s/210/210260_russell_blasts_out_a_hit_for_kirsty.html

News11 March 2006
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Published: 9th March 2006
Russell blasts out a hit for Kirsty

IN fine voice: Singer Russell Watson.SINGER Russell Watson has hit all the right notes for The Kirsty Appeal - triumphing with his singing partner of just 10 days to win television‚Äôs Just The Two Of Us.

The former factory worker delivered a series of dramatic duets with Cutting It actress Sian Reeves to win the competition on Sunday night.

The pair defeated their rivals Mark Moraghan and ex-Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton in the final with rousing renditions of Great Balls Of Fire, Annie‚Äôs Song and the Meat Loaf classic, I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won‚Äôt Do That).

Russell will now donate his ¬£10,000 winnings to The Kirsty Appeal which raises money for the Francis House Children‚Äôs Hospice, On Parrs Wood Didsbury, Manchester.

Russell was brought in to replace Rick Astley, the 80s singer from Newton-le-Willows, just 10 days before the BBC1 show went on air.

Bookmakers had ranked the pair as 16/1 outsiders.

The show was a personal triumph for Russell who has seen his career rocked in the past three years after the collapse of his marriage and a health scare when a lump was discovered on one of his vocal cords.

Success in front of millions of television viewers could not have come at a better time for the singer who spent his early career touring the pubs and clubs.

His new album, The Ultimate Collection, is out this month and he will be performing a free concert at the Trafford Centre next Monday.

Speaking ahead of Just The Two Of Us, Russell, who now lives in Cheshire, said: "For me, it‚Äôs a bit of a flashback to the past and a chance for the public to see a different side of Russell Watson."

Stephanie · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 66

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/music/classicalandopera/s/207/207160_russell_i_didnt_want_to_duet.html

manchester music
classical & opera
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Thursday, 9th March 2006
Russell: I didn't want to duet
Ben Rooth

DUET WINNER: Russell WatsonSALFORD-BORN opera star Russell Watson has revealed how he almost didn't take part in the show that has catapulted him back into the nation's affections.

Millions watched on Sunday night as Russell, along with his singing partner Sian Reeves, won BBC1 duet show Just The Two Of Us. Russell only stepped in at the last minute after Sian's original partner, Rick Astley, pulled out. However, he has told The Diary he was reticent, at first, to accept the job.

"It's strange, because I was reluctant to go on the show as I didn't think it was the right choice for me," he told me.

"But my agent was sure it would give the public the chance to see Russell the person, rather than simply viewing me as a performer. In the end, my agent's argument won through - and as things have turned out, I couldn't be more pleased."

Former Cutting It star Sian admitted that, initially, she and Russell had problems working together. And Russell agreed.

"I think it's fair to say that Sian and I didn't really hit it off at the start," he said.

Confidence

"But as time went on, we got on much better. She had had her confidence dented when Rick Astley pulled out in the week before the show. They had been practising together for three weeks at that point.

"In all honesty, we thought we were going out every night."

Despite not being the judges' favourites, Russell and Sian won over the public, who voted them to victory ahead of Holby City and former Brookside actor Mark Moraghan and ex-Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton.

And Russell says he's so glad he was persuaded to take part - not least because he's won a massive ¬£10,000 for Kirsty Howard, the 10-year-old born with a heart defect who is hoping to raise ¬£5m for Francis House Hospice in Didsbury.

"The main reason I was delighted to win was because it meant I could give the ¬£10,000 prize money to the Kirsty Appeal," Russell says.

"I've met Kirsty on several occasions and she's a truly inspiring young person."

Russell will present his cheque to Kirsty on Monday (March 13), when he performs at The Trafford Centre. His new CD is launched the same day - The Ultimate Collection - with signings at 10am at Tesco in Horwich, and at Trafford Centre HMV at 6.30pm.