Acclaimed English tenor singer Russell Watson - known as 'The Voice' - is performing at Cheltenham Town Hall on Thursday, October 28.

Prior to his Gloucestershire concert, Russell took time out to talk exclusively to Punchline editor Mark Owen about his illustrious career.

At the end of the interview, Mark asked Russell for his top three tips for success in the music industry.

Russell said: "I think the first thing that you have to be prepared for in the music industry, unquestionably, is the fact that you are going to get a lot of knock-backs, a lot of people saying 'no forget about it, it's not going to happen'. I think one of the all-time favourite kickbacks was 'the music industry is not what it used to be, things have changed'. That was being said to me back in 1997 and it's still being said to people now and it's been said to people for probably 20, 30 or 40 years. Yes, of course the music industry has changed but it doesn't mean you can't have a successful music career within the context of the music industry so you have to ignore the 'nos'. I got so many nos and kickbacks it's unbelievable.

"One other good piece of advice would be to keep your feet on the ground. I think bad behaviour, arrogance and ignorance, particularly within the context of the music industry - it doesn't matter how big a star you are - I've watched some of the biggest stars come crashing to the ground. I won't name any names but simply because of bad attitudes and because they think they're untouchable they think they can say what they want without any repercussions and I think you have to look at yourself in the mirror on a regular basis. In the early stages of my career there was so much hype around the start of my career. Just make sure you're not believing your own hype because it eventually wears away and all that's left is you and you have got to be able to transcend all that initial hype. because that's the stuff that gets you there. Once you're there that's when all the hard work starts because attaining a career is relatively easy, but sustaining a career is incredibly difficult. It takes a great business acumen, a huge amount of work, you have to keep your eye on the ball watching everyone else around you.

"My third piece of advice is, I think, the most important thing. The music industry is like any industry but per square mile there's probably more sharks in the water than there is in any other industry and don't forget music industry is one of the few industries in the world where you could consider yourself a professional but you need zero qualifications. You don't need a degree or a doctorate in anything to be a music manager. You could wake up tomorrow and say 'I'm a music manager'. You just have to be very careful that you pick the right people and you are surrounded by the right people. If you manage to find the right people, which is a task in itself, you shouldn't go far wrong and you have to make sure that they have complete and utter belief in you as well. You can have the best manager in the world but if they don't believe that you're the best you're going nowhere."

Some tickets are still available for Russell Watson's 20th anniversary of The Voice concert at Cheltenham Town Hall. 

To book tickets, visit Russell Watson: 20th Anniversary of The Voice | Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room