Opera singer Russell Watson was discharged from hospital today following life-saving surgery on his brain tumour last week.
Watson, 40, emerged from the doors of the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, Cheshire, pushed in a wheelchair and flanked by his daughters Hannah, eight, and Rebecca, 13. He was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and a grey scarf, and was very emotional as he spoke briefly to waiting media.
Asked how he was feeling he said: "Better than I was when I came in." Asked if he had a message for his supporters, he said: "Thanks for all the support, it has been amazing.
"I'm just happy to be alive and be with my children at the moment. I'm very emotional right now. It's my daughter's birthday, she's 13, and I didn't think I would get to see that."
The singer had tears in his eyes as he was manoeuvred into a black Audi and driven away. He had undergone a three-hour operation on the tumour at the hospital on Thursday.
He will now require an extensive rehabilitation programme, which will include radiotherapy.
He was first struck down with a brain tumour last year and made a full recovery from an operation, but it emerged the tumour had regrown when he fell ill in a recording studio last week.
The first operation was carried out by going through his nose, but scar tissue prevented doctors from being able to do so this time.
But his manager Richard Thompson has allayed fears that the tenor - known as The Voice - might never sing again.
The Salford-born singer, who began his career in the pubs and clubs of northern England, had been due to perform at Wembley Stadium on Sunday for the NFL American football game.
