The Voice judge Sir Tom Jones: I’ve had so much positive feedback since my return
SIR Tom Jones opens up about his return to The Voice UK, this year’s hopefuls and his own career knock-backs.
He was unceremoniously axed from the judging panel of BBC1’s The Voice UK in 2015, much to the outrage of his legions of loyal fans. But Sir Tom Jones – who had been part of the reality TV show since its launch in 2012 – has had the last laugh this year, after joining the revamped ITV version.
You need to pick a song that you sound good singing, that shows you off to the best of your ability
The legendary singer, who has also dealt with heartache in his personal life, following the death of his wife of 59 years, Linda, last April, has admitted he’s thrilled to be back alongside panelists will.i.am, American Idol star Jennifer Hudson and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale.
And as well as keeping a keen ear out for the next big singing sensation, he’s also wowed audiences by belting out a tune or two of his own – including an impromptu rendition of Great Balls Of Fire a couple of weeks ago.
Ahead of the next round of Blind Auditions tonight, Tom reflects on returning to the red chair, his regrets on the acts that have slipped through his fingers, and about his own struggles to hit the big time…
It’s great to see you back on The Voice UK. What’s it like making the switch to ITV?
It’s great to be back, and of course I’ve been on ITV on and off since I started my career in the 60s. I think the show looks great, it sounds great and I think it’s going to be great.
How are you finding the new format twist, which means you only get to see the contestant if a coach presses their red button?
I’m glad this has been introduced, because it’s
hard for us to see the disappointment. If you don’t press your button and see that person afterwards, you have to explain to them why you didn’t turn… In the past, I’ve struggled for something to say. If I were in the contestants’ shoes and nobody turned for me, I’d just want to get out of there.
The audience often boo you if they don’t agree with your choice. Do you let that sway you?
Not really. We’re just judging on the voice, not the overall performance. People often see more than they actually hear and we are relying only on our ears. We have to be true to our own decisions, even if the audience doesn’t agree with us.
Have you watched any of the audition shows back and regretted not turning for someone?
There have been some great singers that we didn’t turn for. I’ve watched those shows back and wondered why
I didn’t turn. And I’ve felt awful for them. Sometimes people pick a bad song. But if they don’t get through, it’s not the end of their career. You have to have a strong belief in yourself and realise that you’re bound to get knocks along the way. I don’t know of any singer that ever just sailed to the top.
Tell us about your own knock-backs…
Well, I once lost out to a ventriloquist in a talent competition when I was trying to make it! I entered lots of competitions and didn’t win all the time. And look at what happened to me on The Voice, when I wasn’t invited back as a coach in 2016. There’s a knock-back right there, and at my time of life, too!
Did you feel resentful towards the BBC because of that?
It was a decision made by the powers-that-be on that show, not the BBC itself. I did plenty of stuff for the BBC afterwards, so I wasn’t upset with them. But whoever made the decision on the show made a mistake in my opinion.
It was their loss… especially when the ratings went down [laughs]. I knew that the public was behind me and I’ve had so much positive feedback since my return.
If The Voice had been around when you were trying to make it as a singer, would you have auditioned?
I would have been on there like a shot. It’s a great showcase for singers. But I would have been nervous because you’re standing up there in front of all of those people, and that didn’t happen in my day. You only went on television once you had a hit record. The exposure these singers get now is incredible.
Tom Jones calls male contestant a 'woman' on The Voice
If you were auditioning, what would you sing?
It sounds simple, but you need to pick a song that you sound good singing, that shows you off to the best of your ability. I like so many different kinds of songs, but for an audition like The Voice I’d pick a big song. You only have a short amount of time and it needs to be big and loud to make an impression.
What’s coming up for you for the rest of the year?
I’m recording some new material this year and I’m also doing live shows this summer in Britain and elsewhere in Europe, and then in America towards the end of the year. I’m really looking forward to it.
The Voice UK, tonight, 8pm, ITV