RUSSELL HEARTY

Russell Watson has just stormed up to third place in the World's Hardest Man championship, just behind Chuck Norris and Ross Kemp. Barely a month after life-threatening surgery on a brain tumour he is set to defy doctors' orders and finish the recording of his new album, because he is aware that he has a large fan base and he'd like them to hear his album in case things don't go as planned in his recovery.

Hard. As. Fucking. Nails. They breed them tough up north, I can tell you, but none tougher than Russell. Most people would be tucked up at home in bed and moaning, but not 'The Voice' who is frankly terrifying in his determination.

It's not my sort of music, but let's just admire for a moment a man who is still pretty ill and issues a press release saying:

"Russell is presently recovering at home. He had been advised by both ourselves and his record label to delay the scheduled release of his new record.

"His response was resolute and in his own words 'there is absolutely no way that this record is to be delayed. After what I have just been through and with the near future in doubt it is unclear when and if there will be a good time to release the record. This has led to the decision that I would like the record to go ahead as planned. Although I won't be actively promoting the record it is more for the fans who have waited long enough for this.'"

Fucking hell. Puts Sting's recent gig cancellations due to a tickly cough into some perspective, eh? Obviously, I won't be buying the album, but I hope it outsells any new release by some of the more 'self-inflicted' artists by ten to one.

Ross Kemp must be looking over his shoulder in apprehension, and not for the first time.