Opera singer Russell Watson has revealed a remarkable health development: his pituitary gland, previously damaged by two brain tumors, has begun to repair itself. Watson, 59, described this as a 'one in a million chance' during a recent appearance on The One Show.
Watson was first diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of two golf balls in 2006 after experiencing blurry peripheral vision. He underwent a five-hour emergency surgery to remove the eight-centimeter tumor. A year later, he faced a second diagnosis and surgery.
The tumors, located at the base of his brain, caused significant damage to his pituitary gland, leading doctors to believe it would not recover. Patients with such damage often require lifelong steroid treatment. Watson himself has been on steroids to stay alive and has previously spoken about struggling with weight gain due to the medication.
Seeking to manage his steroid dosage, Watson researched potential tests and contacted his endocrinologist. This led to the discovery that his body had started producing its own cortisol, a key stress hormone. "In a nutshell, she rang me up and said that this is like a one-in-a-million chance, but you have started to produce your own cortisol, which is the body's stress hormones," Watson explained.
Following this news, Watson has halved his steroid dosage and is undergoing further tests, with the possibility of eventually no longer needing the medication. He expressed his pleasure at receiving this positive health update, stating, "Some good health news; it's about time!"
Watson has been open about his health struggles over the years. In 2023, he shared that he had contemplated suicide due to the agonizing pain from his brain tumor, admitting he was pulled back from the brink by thoughts of his two young daughters. He recounted an incident in a Beverly Hills hotel where the pain was so severe he stood on his eighth-floor balcony, considering jumping before the thought of his children stopped him.
His battle with illness, which included crippling treatment, life-saving operations, hormone replacement therapy, and mental health challenges, led doctors to believe he would likely never sing again. His 2024 book, "Encore: My journey back to centre stage," details his return to the public eye after this period.
In 2018, Watson spoke about the daily regimen of medications he requires to survive and his past fear of dying in his sleep, particularly after a tumor returned to his pituitary gland in 2007. He has previously described feeling depressed and panicky at night, fearing he wouldn't wake up.
Recalling his second surgery, Watson shared an experience where, upon waking, he initially believed he had died and gone to heaven upon seeing two white shadows, only to realize they were his children and begin crying.