Early Career
Watson was born on 24 November 1966 in Salford, Lancashire, England. Although he had been singing since he was a child, he never sought a career as a professional singer. He attended Irlam Endowed Primary School and Irlam and Cadishead High School which he left with no GCEs. He then began earning £29.50 a week on a Youth Opportunities Programme as a bolt-cutter in Irlam, near Manchester. Then married and with a baby, he began to earn extra cash singing Elvis Presley and MC Hammer covers in North West clubs to help support his young family.
The turning point in his career came one night at an engagement at Wigan Road Working Men's Club, when the secretary suggested that he try singing "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's Turandot. Although Russell Watson was not a classically-trained singer he continued to perform the aria, and was encouraged to try other classical pieces. In 1990 he won a Search for a Star contest organised by Manchester's Piccadilly Radio.
In 1998 Ian Boasman, manager of the Bistro French restaurant in Preston, arranged for him to sing at Old Trafford during the interval at a memorial football match for the Munich air disaster, a huge privilege for a lifelong Manchester United fan. However, his appearance was cancelled at the last minute when player Eric Cantona requested that Mick Hucknall sing instead. Russell signed a management deal with Boasman; this also involved comic Bobby Ball and businessman Keith Chadwick.
In 1999 he sang "God Save the Queen" at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, then finally sang at Old Trafford before the last match of the Premiership season between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. After the game, when his team had won the league championship, he returned to the pitch to sing the Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé song "Barcelona", during which he tore off his dinner jacket to reveal a Manchester United shirt.
This appearance sealed his success, and only a week later he was invited to sing a full set at the final of the UEFA Champions League in Barcelona between United and Bayern Munich, duetting with Montserrat Caballé.
Watson used to work at St. Ambrose College, Altrincham.
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