Latest news with #RussellWatson
Scottish Sun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online
Pictures on social media showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars 'SMOKE & MIRRORS' Fraud probe launched after Scots school goes bust while boss flaunts luxury lifestyle online Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COPS have launched a fraud probe into a drama school that took thousands of pounds of students' fees while facing collapse. Raging parents accused the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television of using 'smoke and mirrors' to attract youngsters dreaming of showbiz careers. 5 Andy Egan ran the Scottish Institute of Theatre, Dance, Film and Television 5 He rubbed shoulders with opera singer Russell Watson 5 He also met music stars like soul group The Real Thing And we can reveal the arts hub's boss Andy Egan, 61, was flaunting a luxury lifestyle on social media just hours before it shut on May 6 with the loss of around 20 staff jobs. Pictures showed him rubbing shoulders with music stars including opera singer Russell Watson, 58. Wannabe stage stars revealed they had continued to pay their dues with no warning of the school's looming liquidation — after directors were hauled before a law chief over cash owed to a property firm. One furious mum revealed her daughter unknowingly paid £750 from her student loan to Livingston-based 'SI' on the day it folded. She told The Scottish Sun: 'My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money. 'And she has nowhere else to go for her education.' I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue. I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal Skyla Legal documents show the institute faced a winding-up order at Livingston Sheriff Court on March 28. The petition was granted on May 6 because it was 'unable to pay debts' — and it closed immediately. Meanwhile, SI president Egan was urging friends in online posts to visit a luxury holiday home with no mention of the financial woes. He showcased his celeb-spotting social life in rural Ireland, meeting pop stars such as disco legends Odyssey, Hot Chocolate's Kennie Simon and soul group The Real Thing. Moment dealer poses with wads of cash while claiming benefits - landing him in jail Wearing a bow-tie, he was also seen beaming alongside singer and I'm a Celeb contestant Watson. We told how students arriving for classes were initially told the school had closed due to a power outage. They later learned courses had been axed via a bizarre TikTok post featuring Crystal Waters' song Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless). Third-year dance student Skyla Kelly, 19, yesterday revealed she had been left in limbo after sitting two exams before finding out her course had been scrapped — despite paying £10,000-a-year fees. Skyla, of Bathgate, West Lothian, slammed the college supremo. It's heartbreaking... she's devastated. He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors Neil She said: 'I don't know if my degree means anything or if I can continue. "I've lost all that work and he's on social media acting like it's no big deal.' Meanwhile a cleaning firm boss told The Scottish Sun he spent months chasing a £3,000 payment for work at the SI. The contractor, named Neil, said: 'From April, May, and June, nobody got paid. His excuse was that he was waiting on a tax rebate from HMRC. 'I stopped cleaning for him, but I still wanted my money. Eventually, I got paid, as did other people.' My daughter will now need to pay that loan back out of her own money. And she has nowhere else to go for her education One furious mum Meanwhile his daughter's hopes of completing a musical theatre degree have been dashed. Neil, of Linlithgow, West Lothian, said: 'It's heartbreaking. She came bouncing down the school corridor, and she's devastated. 'He sold us this big dream, but it was all smoke and mirrors.' Egan refused to divulge any details about the school but said: 'I'll just have to take this one on the chin.' A notice posted on the SI's website revealed Katie McLachlan, of Edinburgh-based firm Middlebrooks Business Recovery, had been appointed liquidator. Cops confirmed they launched a probe after students complained. A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'On May 11 we received a report of fraud involving a business in Livingston. Enquiries are at an early stage.' 5 He rubbed shoulders with singer Errol Brown
Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Russell Watson: ‘I'm convinced that animals know they've been rescued'
Russell Watson, 58, the UK's biggest-selling classical crossover artist, thought he was buying a small Cheshire farm to house a handful of animals. But his wife, Louise, had other ideas. He now shares his home with enough pets to populate a small zoo. It was never my plan. When we came to view our farm on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border three years ago, I looked across at the beautiful expanse of countryside with its tapestry of greens and yellows and thought, wow, what a view. I want to live here. But Louise was already thinking, can you imagine how many pets I could fit in here? Let's start with the house pets. We have four dogs, a cat and a macaw. Muffin, our shih tzu, is
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Russell Watson to perform at Pembroke Castle this year
Pembroke Castle will host an event featuring Russell Watson. The castle will resonate with music during 'Voices at the Castle – A Weekend of Song' on September 12 and 13, supporting both The Paul Sartori Foundation and The Pembroke Castle Trust. The Paul Sartori Foundation provides hospice-at-home services, while the Pembroke Castle Trust oversees the conservation of the historic site, the birthplace of Henry VII. The event features local talent and the renowned tenor, Russell Watson. The weekend promises a blend of local flavour and international appeal. Friday night offers a showcase from four Pembrokeshire choirs – Pembroke Choir, Tenby Choir, The Paul Sartori Community Choir, and Pembrokeshire Pop Voices for £25 per ticket. The evening is set to be a celebration of the county's musical heritage, with the choirs presenting a range of harmonies and heartfelt performances. Saturday night, priced at £35 per ticket, will feature Russell Watson, known for his emotive performances that have captivated global audiences. Supporting Mr Watson will be the Pembrokeshire ladies' group, Bella Voce. Concert-goers can enjoy a picnic-style event, with the option to bring chairs, blankets, and food. A charity bar and food stalls will be on-site, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Tickets for the event, which are selling fast, can be bought for £50 for access to both nights. The ticket grants entry to two exceptional nights of performances, all while supporting vital local charities. To secure your spot at this unique musical gathering, visit visit the castle's shop or contact The Paul Sartori office on 01437 763223 during weekdays from 8.30am to 4pm. The weekend of song is not just about the performances, but a celebration of community spirit and support. All proceeds will be divided between The Paul Sartori Foundation and the Pembroke Castle Trust. The Paul Sartori Foundation provides vital hospice-at-home services to Pembrokeshire residents. These services offer care and comfort to individuals and families during challenging times. The Pembroke Castle Trust plays a crucial role in preserving the cultural heritage of Pembroke Castle. By attending the event, you are contributing to the conservation of this iconic monument for future generations. The 'Voices at the Castle' event promises an enchanting musical experience, united by a common cause. The weekend is an opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy world-class performances, and support essential local services. Join the celebration in the historic Pembroke Castle, enjoy a weekend of music, and help support worthy causes in the process. Whether you are a fan of local choirs or an admirer of Russell Watson, this weekend is set to be memorable.
The Guardian
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Russell Watson looks back: ‘My success felt like a wave that kept rolling. Until it didn't'
Born in Salford in 1966, Russell Watson is the UK's bestselling classical crossover artist. The tenor started on the north-west's working men's club circuit, before getting a record deal and releasing The Voice, an album that held the No 1 spot for 52 weeks. He has had seven Top 10 albums, more than 7m album sales, and has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles and the late Pope John Paul II. He is celebrating 25 years of The Voice with a UK tour. I was 15 when this photo was taken. My childhood bedroom was the size of a postage stamp, but I still filled it with posters – Marilyn Monroe, Madonna and Paul Weller. I was obsessed with music, but even more with football. I wasn't particularly interested in girls; my life revolved around hanging out with my pals. I first saw this guitar in the window of a shop down the road from where we lived in Salford. It cost the grand sum of £300 – a huge amount back then. I asked for it for Christmas, but we couldn't afford it – Mum was a stay-at-home mum and my dad worked at the steelworks. As money was scarce, I ended up getting a paper round. A year later, I got a second one as I was scared the glistening guitar in the window might go. After a few shifts washing cars in the school holidays, I managed to muster enough cash. That guitar was my favourite thing I'd ever owned. Foolishly, years later, during a phase of impecuniosity in the 2000s, I ended up selling it to help pay the mortgage. My mum got me my first ever gig. She went into a local club and said: 'My son and his friends play guitars. Would you be interested in having them on?' They agreed, and off we toddled for a set of Beatles covers. That night, there was a chap at the back of the room who began pleasuring himself. One of the staff went over to him and said: 'Oh, Stan, put it away. For God's sake.' We got paid in custard creams and a few cups of tea. It was a surreal introduction to life as a jobbing musician. These days people pay good money for a ticket to my shows, but back in the 90s, the audience was mainly blokes saying: 'Who's on tonight? Russ Watson? Never heard of him.' They just wanted to have a pint and a chat with their friends about the latest episode of Coronation Street. I was a side act: I went on, did 20 minutes, and left with £60 in my pocket. At first I thought: 'Why is nobody bloody listening to me?' After a while, I started to realise that to get an audience on side it would take more than singing. I had to draw them in, figure out what they liked; communicate and connect with them. While sometimes quite disheartening, it was a fabulous training ground. Over that decade, I learned how to become a performer. In 1999 I went from singing to an audience of working-class people who predominantly wanted to play bingo, to working with one of the finest orchestras in the world. I was recording my debut in George Martin's studio, the same studio the composer Hans Zimmer used. I thought: 'This is amazing, but I'm sure I'll be back in Wigan in a year.' That wasn't the case. From 2000 to 2001, life was all so sparkly and exciting. I was like this little puppy-dog with a wagging tail that had just been brought into its new home. When the media machine gets behind you, there is nothing like it. People really embraced classical crossover: before me, there had been Nigel Kennedy, Aled Jones and Vanessa May, but none of them had explored the realms of pop quite so intensely. My album had covers of Ultravox's Vienna and Nessun Dorma, and I even collaborated with Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays. Working with Shaun on Barcelona was a little bit riotous, but that's what made it so brilliant. We were booked for Jim Davidson's Saturday night TV show, which was a big deal at the time. Everything was choreographed – I would come on, then Shaun would follow me out of the dry ice four seconds later and do his thing. Instead, I walked out and Shaun stood right behind me, grabbed my right arse cheek and squeezed it really tight. The whole thing descended into chaos. But I loved it, and the record went through the roof. My success felt like a wave, and the wave kept rolling. Up until it didn't, in 2003. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion I was due to be performing at the MEN arena (now known as AO Arena): 14,000 tickets, all sold out. I wasn't well. I had a throat infection, and I wanted to cancel. Around that time I had a very pushy manager, and they refused to reschedule, so I went ahead with the gig. The next day I woke up and the falsetto area of my voice had completely gone. My worst fears were confirmed by a doctor – I had hard lumps on my vocal cords, polyps. That was the first health issue. After that, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. In 2005, I began to get terrible headaches. My vision started to deteriorate and I was diagnosed with the first of two brain tumours. My career went on hold. The first time I had surgery for a brain tumour was in 2006. When I went in for the second tumour operation, I had a feeling that I wasn't going to wake up. The surgeons went through the back of my lip, the back of the sinuses and up into the front of my skull to cut this tumour out of my head. I was in intensive care. I was very unwell, but when I came round after eight hours, there was this sense of euphoria that ran through every single cell in my body. I thought: 'Thank fuck for that. I'm alive!' I then started crying, not because I was in pain, but because I was here and I could see. The surgeon had reinvigorated my vision, which was a miracle. I hadn't seen properly for the best part of three years. The first thing I wanted was to get back to full fitness. I also knew my fifth album needed finishing, and I was a control freak, so I didn't want anyone doing it for me. I was in hospital, on the phone to my manager saying: 'So, what's the label thinking? They think the album sounds 'OK'? What does 'OK' mean? That's not good enough.' I asked Grant, my sound engineer, to let me hear the latest mix. He said: 'No way mate. You're in intensive care. I'll get hammered by the nurses if I come in.' But I convinced him and we hid an iPod with the album on. I had tubes coming out of every orifice, bandaging over my face, headphones in, saying: 'Strings on this track need to come up. Vocals are a bit quiet in the chorus … ' I have since reduced my control-freak tendencies. It is too all-consuming. That's not to say I have completely let go of the reins. 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.
