I'm A Celebrity star has 'a lifetime of medication' ahead as he shares tumour update
I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! alumni Russell Watson has shared a health update after battling two brain tumours. The singer, who competed on the 2020 series of I'm A Celeb, appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain today to chat about his honorary doctorate from the University of Greater Manchester.
The star was given the degree at a ceremony for students from the School of Health, Science and Society, during which he shared how his health battles had "graphically highlighted" to him the "amazing job done by staff in our NHS". Russell, 58, was diagnosed with his first brain tumour in 2005 after experiencing headaches and underwent brain surgery for a benign brain tumour.
A second brain tumour was found in 2007 after an MRI scan showed it had regrown and caused bleeding into his brain. The singer required emergency surgery and underwent extensive radiotherapy afterwards.
When asked by presenter Charlotte Hawkins about his health on today's programme, Russell said: "It's good. It's very good. I feel good, I feel strong." He added: "I'll be on a lifetime of medication - that's one of the by products of what happened to me. But I'm just happy to be here. I have a wonderful life, I'm very very lucky. I've been 25 years in the industry. Having lasted this long is a great thing."
Earlier this year, Russell shared the chilling words he received from doctors shortly after being diagnosed with his second brain tumour. He told The Guardian: "After surgery, I was told that, even healthy and fit, I would no longer perform like my younger self – something that I refused to accept.
"I may not be the wagging-tailed puppy-dog any more, but my voice is in the best shape it's been in, and I think I look in pretty good shape as well. My life has been this cacophony of incredible highs and disastrous lows, but it's made me the person I am today."
According to the NHS, those suffering with a brain tumour can have a number of different symptoms depending on where in the brain the tumour is found. Common symptoms include headaches, seizures, persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness.
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