Russell Watson: The Big Issue Big Singalong

This Good Friday, The Big Issue is teaming up with the People’s Tenor and I’m a Celebrity star Russell Watson to bring the nation together with a very special, uplifting online performance.

The last year has seen us separated from our loved ones. We’ve missed birthdays and anniversaries together. We’ve worried about family members we cannot see, friends who are living alone.

We’re giving our readers the chance to send in dedications and messages that you’d like Russell to deliver to someone you care about.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be teaming up with The Big Issue for an online performance on Friday April 2,” said Watson.

“It will give readers the opportunity to request special shout outs and request songs, in particular for those who we feel have been struggling the most during lockdown. It’s a lovely idea and I’m hoping we can help put a smile on a few faces.”

Watson started out his performing career in a Salford working men’s club, where he sang Elvis covers to earn some money on the side of his job as a bolt-cutter. He rose to fame in 1999 when he sang God Save the Queen at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

Russell’s mixture of operatic arias and covers of pop songs has topped the classical charts on both sides of the Atlantic and earned him the unofficial title of the People’s Tenor.

He is now the best-selling male classical artist of all time and has collaborated with artists as varied as Meatloaf, Lionel Richie, Paul McCartney, Lulu, Alexandra Burke and Luciano Pavarotti.

Between 2005 and 2007 Watson underwent treatment for brain cancer but has overcome the illness and last year celebrated two decades in the music industry with his anniversary album 20.

2020 also saw him take on the challenge of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here. He may not have aced the general knowledge questions, but he kept his fellow contestants entertained with his powerful voice.

On April 2, you can tune in to see Russell perform a selection of classic songs, and deliver your messages.

He’ll be bringing us a selection of songs from his classic repertoire, which includes O sole mio, Ave Maria, Have I Told You Lately and You Are So Beautiful.

‘Russell Watson: The Big Issue Big Singalong’ will stream exclusively on The Big Issue’s YouTube channel on April 2 at 7pm. You can sign up to watch the performance here.