by Russell Watson on Tuesday, 05 October 2010 at 15:07
In the third and final part of our fan Q&A with Russell we talk tattoos, Jack Duckworth, and Russell's brand new album 'La Voce.

Q: What is your favourite track on your new album La Voce and why? (Eunice Pickles)

A: That's a difficult one, Eunice. I really, really like the adaptation of Dusty Springfield's song, 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me', it's a great builder. But I also like the Godfather theme, I think that's come out very, very strongly. It's big and is a great vocal showcase. 

Q: Would you like to appear in Coronation Street, if so which character would you play? (Sophie Williams)

A: It has to be Jack Duckworth, Sophie, haha! I would be able to moan a lot. His character is just, you know, a grumpy old man, but really quite comedic. It's a great character. There never seems to be anything catastrophic going on in his life which I quite like. One of my dreams is to have a cameo appearance in Coronation Street. I'd love that! I don't really get much time to watch soaps anymore.

Q: Do you have to be pretty strict and set aside time each and every day to practice your vocals, even when you are holiday? (Victoria Mason)

A: Hi Victoria. I'm supposed to, but I've got to be honest, I don't. This is such an intense period, when I get an opportunity to rest, I like to rest. There isn't much time that goes by when I'm not singing. I'm always singing.

Q: It is well documented that you don't like salmon, which is a favourite of mine, so if you were coming to dinner, what would I cook for you? (Sandra Dalziel)

A: Hi Sandra. I'm genuinely allergic to Salmon. Beetroot is also utterly disgusting. So nothing with either of those two! If I was cooking, I'd cook something like steak, potato gratin, fresh green beans, fresh garden peas and a bit of pepper sauce on the side. And a nice bottle of Bolanger rose.

Q: Would you get a tattoo done? where would you have it? and what would it be off? (Sarah Baron)

A: Hi Sarah. No, I just don't like them. My 15 year old recently mentioned tattoos and I just gave her a look that only a father could give a daughter when she says she wants a tattoo. If she got one I'd go mad! I'm not a strict Dad but they know the guidelines. I'm not heavy duty with them but they know when not to mess with me, like with tattoos and stuff like that. She recently asked me about a belly button piercing and it was just a flat 'no!'

RUSSELL'S Q & A Round 2

          29-09-2010
We spoke to Russell the other day and, as promised, we managed to squeeze in as many of your fan questions as possible.
Here's the second instalment from our Russell Watson fan Q&A...

Q: Do you have any ambitions outside the music industry that you would like to fulfil? (from Sarah Phillips)

A: Hi Sarah. To be honest, I want more than anything else to just stay healthy and happy. That’s predominantly it. Outside of my career? No, not really. Just healthy and happy, my family too!

Q: Who would you most like to duet/collaborate with on a song, and are there any collaborations on your new album, 'La Voce'? (from Kelly Dean)

A: Hi Kelly. Oh crikey! Sadly most of the people I have respect for, artistically, aren’t here anymore - the great Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra. Maybe Whitney in her hay day, that would take some beating. Or even Mariah Carey, she’s got some voice on her. There are no collaborations on the record. Specifically, I was really conscious on this album of making sure it was all about the voice and the music above anything else. We talked about duets on several occasions, but in the end we decided it would dilute what we had.

Q: Where would you go and what would you do on a date? (from Fenella Loveridge)

A: Haha, good question Fenella… I would take ‘em to Old Trafford to watch Man United!

Q: If you had to pick just one favourite song ever - which would it be and why? (from Tracy Bate)

A: Hi Tracy. Nessun Dorma. It’s kind of pre-curser to my career and has significance for so many reasons.

Q: Who do you listen to and why, and how do you choose the songs on your albums? (from Sandra Dalziel)

A: Hello Sandra. It depends what I’m doing. At the moment I’m really into the Black Eyed Peas. I really like their new record, Boom Boom Pow, it’s a brilliant record.

Stay tuned for Round Three of Russell's fan Q&A coming soon!

In the second part of our fan Q&A with Russell, we talk music, tennis and the strangest gift he's ever been given by a fan!
  
Q: What do you do with all the presents you get given by your fans? (Barbara Bone)

A: Hi Barbara. A lot of them I drink… they send me a lot of alcohol. I get Champagne and Chardonnay. I get sent a lot of cufflinks and ties, which I wear. I’ve got to be honest, I have had some very odd gifts from fans and I’m not sure what to do with them. The oddest gift I was ever given was a silver Elvis monster outfit. Weird, I’m not sure why. Somebody once sent me some bells, no note, it just said "I think you might like these".

Q: What do you get up to when you have a day off? (Hayley Manning)

A: Hello Hayley. I like tennis. I think I’m quite good, yeah. I’m certainly getting stronger. My fitness has improved a lot since losing the weight I put on two years ago through chemo. I move around the court better. Now as a result I feel a lot better. My biggest form of escapism is my Playstation 3. If anyone wants to buy me any of the latest PS3 games, mainly sport or shooting games, it would be gladly appreciated… haha!

Q: Would you ever consider recording a Christmas CD? (Sarah Baron)

A: I would never say I wouldn’t consider recording one, Sarah, but at this stage in my career, no. I’m heavily into the artistic process that takes place when making a record of the type that I’ve made recently. A Christmas record for me at this stage would not be so artistically rewarding. That’s not to say that later in my career I wouldn’t consider it.

Q: If you had a time machine and could go back in time and could see a singer or musician perform who would it be and why? (Annette Fice)

A: Hey Annette. I think I’d like to go back in time and see Elvis do the concert he did in 67, the comeback tour. I’d have liked to see that. I appreciate the legend that he was in his hay day. It’s astonishing.

Q:What do you have playing on your i-pod? (Mavis Haddleton)

A: Well Mavis, It’s 32GB so there’s so much on there. I like my soul music, James Brown, Freddie Jackson, Alexander O’Neill, really like the Alexander O’Neill stuff. I’ve got piles of classical stuff on there and a bit of rock too.  Such an eclectic mix, everything from the Sex Pistols to Chopin.