Endrik Wottrich, the well known Wagnarian tenor, has said that many opera singers are turning to drugs and other stimulants in order to keep at the top of their profession, comparing their activities to cyclists in the Tour de France.

He revealed in an interview with a german newspaper that many stars used beta blockers to control nerves or used cortisone to improve vocal range and strength.

He added that alcohol abuse was ' standard practise' and that many cancellations were due to the depression and stress suffered by many top performers. 

In unrelated news, it seems that Luciano Pavarotti will now remain in hospital for the forseeable future fo further tests related to his pancreatic cancer. He was orignially hospitalised after running a high fever.