Russell Watson has undergone brain surgery to remove an "aggressive" tumour and is said to now be in a 'critical condition' in intensive care.

The singer had a benign brain tumour removed last year, but he was taken ill on Wednesday and was rushed into the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheshire.

An MRI scan performed on Watson, who has sold over four million albums, showed that the previous tumour had re-grown and had started bleeding.

A message on the tenor's website confirmed that he was in a "critical condition", saying: "All our hopes, prayers and wishes are with him and we hope to bring more uplifting news later on today after he is out of the operating theatre."

Watson's manager, Richard Thompson, said: "Our thoughts are with Russell and his family."