Russell Watson, BIC, Bournemouth

"THAT'S Life!"- belted out Salford's pop-opera star with an energy, enthusiasm and passion that told us here was one man glad to be back with a second chance of life.

Just six months after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, and an operation that could have killed him or left him blind, the 40-year-old self-taught tenor and former factory worker was on top of the world - and on tip-top form!

All who had waited to see him at the BIC after last December's concert was cancelled could not have been more delighted.

Joined by a mightily magnificent orchestra, four backing singers, and a visually and vocally stunning guest star, Natasha Marsh, the man they dubbed The Voice, had lost none of his sparkle and power.

He performed some fantastic old favourites from Sinatra, Matt Monro and Nat King Cole, selected from the new album That's Life - his first non-classical album release.

And he switched with consummate ease from the smoochy, mellow standards like Strangers in the Night and Let There Be Love to roof-raisers like Nessun Dorma and Ave Maria.

In between he shared cheery banter with the audience. The only allusion to his illness was to thank fans for all their letters and cards wishing him well. The fans adored him. After two encores on Nessun Dorma, there were four further encores.

No one, including Russell wanted to go home. Closing with the uplifting You Raise Me Up, with most of the audience on its feet, he signed countless autographs from the stage before leaving.