British Singer Russell Watson Announces the Death of a Family Member

The 59-year-old singer is in mourning — and this time, it's deeply personal.

Russell Watsom took to social media on Tuesday, January 20, to share that he and his family have experienced a sudden and devastating loss. In an emotional message that moved fans across the world, Watson opened up about the pain they've been grappling with behind the scenes.

"Some heartbreaking news," he began. "I still can't believe I'm even writing this, but completely out of the blue our beloved boy, Axel, has been taken from us. He passed away early last week, and our lives have been turned upside down ever since."

Axel, a rescue Greyhound adopted in August 2023, was more than just a presence in the Watson home — he had become a source of comfort, strength, and unconditional love after the death of the family's previous dog, Blaze.

"Axel wasn't just a dog [...]," Watson wrote. "From bounding up the stairs like a freight train to always being right by your side, his presence filled every corner of our home."

Watson described Axel's big snout, enormous size, and beautiful black coat as unforgettable, but said it was his gentle nature and loyal spirit that made the deepest impact. "He had a way of making us feel safe, loved, and never alone," Watson shared.

Now, Sunday dinners feel empty without Axel waiting hopefully for a sausage roll. The singer confessed that even the silence in their home now feels heavier without his companion's comforting presence. Still, he added, Axel's unconditional love continues to linger.

"Our hearts are broken, but we are so grateful for every moment we were lucky enough to share with our wonderful Axel. He will always be a part of us, always by our side, and never, ever forgotten. 🖤🐾," he wrote.

The heartfelt tribute was accompanied by a carousel of photos and memories featuring Axel, which immediately drew an outpouring of sympathy and support from fans online.

"So many of us know this heartbreak 💔 😭 devastated for you, take your time and grieve and heal together," one person wrote. "This breaks my heart. He was the best pooch and will never forget him. Best wonky smile too! ❤️❤️," another added.

"So sorry to hear this, he was a beautiful boy x," said one follower. "So very sorry for your loss 😢. They are not just pets xx," someone else shared.

Axel had become a regular presence on Watson's Instagram, often appearing in cozy, heartwarming posts showing the singer's life at home. On the two-year anniversary of Axel joining the family, Watson had penned an appreciation post for him, calling the dog a source of strength and joy.

"Every single day, he brings strength, loyalty, and a whole lot of joy," he wrote at the time. "We're grateful beyond words for the love he gives and the light he's brought back into our lives. Thank you, Axel — you're one of a kind. 💙"

Watson, who lives on a massive property with a sprawling 20-acre garden, often shares photos of his home life — tending to goats, working in his garden, and enjoying nature. Axel was frequently pictured alongside him, keeping him company during his peaceful outdoor routines.

His love of gardening, he once revealed, was rooted in his childhood, though he admitted his younger self only cared about "the grass, where I could kick a ball around." His grandparents had a cherished plot in Urmston, where he was enchanted by the smells, plants, and precision of his grandfather's lawn.

It wasn't until after his major health crisis that gardening became a vital part of his life. In 2006, Watson was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which returned in 2007, requiring emergency surgery. The aftermath was harrowing — he struggled with basic mobility and had to rebuild his strength.

During an interview with The Telegraph last October, he recalled that when he left the hospital in 2008 after his second surgery, he was so weak he could not even make it up the stairs, let alone do any gardening.

He later chronicled his recovery and reflections in his 2024 memoir, "Encore." During his extended hiatus from performing, Watson looked back on the early years of his career — and what he lost in the pursuit of constant success.

"For the first three records I was consumed in this world of wanting. No matter how much came my way that was amazing, I was always looking for the next thing, and as a result of that, I think I probably didn't enjoy my career as much as I would have liked," he once said.

Despite the health setbacks, Watson saw his career as a journey — one that began in clubs in the north west and soared to global recognition after his national anthem performance at Wembley in 1999.

Through it all — illness, recovery, success, and sorrow — Axel was a quiet but steady companion in recent years. And now, in his absence, Watson's tribute stands as a reminder of the bond that can form between man and dog — and the depth of heartbreak when that bond is broken.