Russell Watson joining concert list

Multi-million album selling opera singer Russell Watson will be headlining an open-air concert in Shrewsbury later this year.

The singer, known as The Voice, has sold more than seven million albums world-wide and is currently judging BBC1's show Last Choir Standing on Saturday nights.

He is performing again within a year of battling a brain tumour which sparked fears that he might never sing again.

The Mancunian star will be performing as the headline act at Shrewsbury's Indian Summer event at The Quarry on September 6 during a concert which organisers hope will also feature All Angels - including Shrewsbury's Melanie Nakhla.

Mr Watson is the latest high-profile performer to take to the stage at the Quarry this summer.

Earlier this month singer Katie Melua performed at the venue, while a day later the Shropshire Star-backed Magic of the 80s event, featuring the likes of Rick Astley, Toyah Wilcox, Bananarama and Shrewsbury's own Carol Decker, also proved a massive sell-out success.

And as part of the Indian Summer events there will be a performance in the Quarry by hit-band Travis, supported by The Guillemots, the day before Russell Watson performs.

Mr Watson has performed before a string of dignitaries including the King of Malaysia, The President of the United States, the Emperor of Japan, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the late Pope John Paul II who requested a private audience with him at the Vatican in Rome.

He also received a standing ovation when he was invited to Old Trafford to sing before Manchester United's Premiership-winning match in May 1999.

Last year he collapsed in a studio while making the final touches to an album and was diagnosed as having a second brain tumour.

He underwent an immediate operation to have the tumour successfully removed and underwent a course of radiotherapy and recovery during the first part of the year.

For further information or tickets visit www.misterjonesproductions.com or call 0871 2715 151.

By John Kirk