Russell Watson starts radiotherapy

Opera singer Russell Watson runs the risk of damaging his eyesight with the gruelling course of radiotherapy he has started to eradicate a recurrent brain tumour, his manager said.

The 41-year-old singer will undergo five days of radiotherapy every week for the next five weeks, his manager Richard Thompson said.

The singer - whose album Outside In entered the top 20 when it was released last month - underwent surgery to remove the brain tumour in October.

It was his second operation on the tumour in 12 months. He was first struck down with it in 2006 and made a full recovery, but scans revealed the tumour had grown back.

Mr Thompson said: "He's in as good as spirits as anybody can be with that kind of journey ahead.

"The doctors are very cautious - they want to get to it but because it's near the optic nerve, they've got to be careful not to damage the eyesight."

Arriving at the Christie Hospital in Manchester, Mr Watson, who is known as The Voice, told reporters: "My throat feels OK. I feel a little bit tired.

"It takes a while to get your energy and stamina levels up again. It's been a strange new year, 2008, in for my radiotherapy on January 2."

Mr Thompson said: "It's a very arduous five-week period that the doctors hope will give him closure."

The Salford-born singer released a statement on his website before Christmas which said: "This year is going to be such a big celebration with my daughters, who are my strength and inspiration in everything I do."