Tom Jones International

You can watch Episode 2 of The Voice UK Blind Auditions. Apparently, in the UK version, unlike in the US version (don’t know about the others) they invite established talent to audition.

In this case, it’s Kerry Ellis, a musical actress with a solid West End career. Considering some of the people for whom they’ve turned around, one wonders if that — which got a lot of press when it was taped — is a put-up job. Just saying.

Please take a moment to comment on The Voice UK. Posting it so all outside BBC1′s viewing area can see it took a lot of work by two people. Please take a moment to show a bit of appreciation.

In other news, Media Wales reportsa Welsh contestant snubbed Tom even though he turned his chair.

The Telegraph says the coaches’ music is experiencing good sales.

MTV UK reports that Jessie J. says she’s definitely going to duet with Tom “in the near future.”

Other stories go over Tom’s fear in the 1990′s that he’d lost his voice when he needed surgery.

Finally, on Saturday, March 31, the Daily Mail carried the following story:

‘It makes me cry’: 100 million records sold, 17 No.1s but Tom Jones says The Voice is the hardest thing he’s ever done

His musical career spans six decades and his placed on the biggest stages with some of the world’s most legendary singers.

But Tom Jones says his role as a judge and coach on BBC1′s talent show The Voice is the hardest thing he’s ever done.

The 71-year-old admitted that having to send home young hopefuls makes him cry.

‘It makes me cry’: 100 million records sold, 17 No.1s but Tom Jones says The Voice is the hardest thing he’s ever done.

His musical career spans six decades and his placed on the biggest stages with some of the world’s most legendary singers.

The 71-year-old admitted that having to send home young hopefuls makes him cry.

Speaking to The Sun’s TV magazine Buzz, he said: ‘This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. You have to critique people, which I’ve never done. I have to make a decision about somebody’s future and it’s really got to me.

‘I’d seen people on other talent shows get upset and thought: ‘That’s just TV.’ But here I am, watching our singers and I end up going: ‘Oh s***,’ and trying to keep it together.’

He also told The Mirror: ‘God, it is very intense and emotional. And you do cry. You are holding their future in your hands. You’re told to drag it out a bit for dramatic effect, ‘And my choice iiiiis…’ but I felt terrible.’

The singer, who was born Thomas Woodward, is the most experienced member of the show’s judging panel which includes Jessie J, Will.i.am and Danny O’Donoghue.

And thanks to his hugely successful singing career he has rubbed shoulders with some of the greats, some of whom are no longer with us.

For instance, he counted Elvis Presley as a friend when the two were both big hits in the early seventies.

Tom Jones was recently embroiled in an exchange of catty comments with Amanda Holden, from rival show Britain’s Got Talent.

Holden was asked by website Digital Spy why viewers should tune into the ITV show rather than The Voice, and she joked: ‘Because [Tom] will be spinning in his grave next week.’

The singer apparently took a pop at Amanda in retaliation by claiming to have had no idea who she was before he was made aware of BGT recently.

‘I had no idea who she was or what she did,’ 71-year-old Jones reportedly told the Daily Star.

Competition is heating up between the shows after The Voice beat BGT in the ratings war.

The Voice peaked with 9.8 million viewers, while just 6.56 million watched the first episode of Britain’s Got Talent.

Hoping there’s not too much in this post and that you take time to read it and post comments!

These photos by Bauer Griffin were taken Friday morning as Tom Left the BBC Radio studios in London.

Among other items — the link to the hear show is below — Tom announced the name of his new album is Spirit In the Room. It is, again, American roots music, he said. Thus, it would make eminent sense to promote in the US where the music originated. If so, perhaps the people in the Grammy Foundation/Awards and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be pay him the attention he is due.

British bookmakers are posting odds on the shows and on which Voice coach will win. The odds posted are that BGT will get better ratings than The Voice and that Jessie J will have the winning talent on her team. Next they say will be Will. i. am and, finally, Tom, followed by Danny O’Donoghue.

As this post title states, the gloves are off! The people from Britain’s Got Talent are responding to what they, apparently, perceive as a challenge from Tom and The Voice.

To read what Cowell and an awful woman who is a judge on BGT said, along with a rather reasonable article from Wales Online with a new angle, to hear the rock classic Tom chose to play on the radio Friday morning, as well as the link to the half-hour of show highlights, please click here to (more…)

Tom will play a gig at Scotland’s Hamilton Park Racecourse, on Friday, July 6. According to STV: Organisers expect fans to travel from all over Scotland and the north of England to see Sir Tom, full name Sir Thomas John Woodward OBE, show off his voice.

Hamilton Park chief executive Vivien Kyles said: “It’s not unusual for us to attract superstars of music yet still we are incredibly excited to welcome a global superstar of Tom Jones’ calibre to Hamilton Park in July. It is a real coup for us.

“We have earned a strong reputation for bringing big names to Scotland and working with Liz and her team again, we were all determined to attract the right act to Hamilton Park this year.

“Tom Jones certainly fits the bill and we can’t wait to see him on stage wowing another big crowd.”

Vivien added: “With tickets going on sale tomorrow at 9am we are expecting demand to be very high from the offset.

“Tom Jones is one of the most recognisable names in music with a huge fan-base so we really would encourage fans to act fast to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 23 at 9 a.m. Prices start at £45. You can by online at the Hamilton Park website or by calling 01698 283 806.

Tom went to the press showing of one of the very best works of 20th century musical theater that opened recently at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

We’re talking about the classic work of that musical theater genius Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: A Musical Thriller.

(It is difficult to describe how much better — leagues better! — the work is in the theater than it was in the awful film Tim Burton made in which Johnny Depp was merely OK and Helena Bonham-Carter, who cannot sing, was woefully miscast. Trust me on that.)

A fictional character from the 1840′s, Sweeney Todd (whom many believe was a real person) is the story of a barber who, angry at the authorities who imprisoned him and kidnapped his daughter while driving his beloved wife mad, sets on the seek revenge. He teams with Mrs. Lovett, whose pie shop is downstairs from his barber shop, to get rid of evidence of the murders he commits. They do this by grinding up the bodies and baking them into meat pies.

Sondheim’s musical has been performed by many actors in a lot of productions. The Sondheim version — an instant classic — first premiered on Broadway in 1979 (starring Len Cariou, who is now playing Francis’ father on the Tom Selleck TV series Blue Bloods and Angela Lansbury) and won every award in sight. (Sitting in the front row at that show, I remember getting a spot of stage blood on my foot.) It is, as noted, a work of genius and it’s great to see Tom — who has said often he doesn’t like Broadway musicals — having the experience of being in the audience for Sweeney Todd.

This production stars the wonderful Michael Ball and the equally wonderful Imelda Staunton.

There are four more photos of Tom at Sweeney Todd that you can see in the TJI.com flickr set Pap Shots: The Paparazzi Capture Tom

For the new video and the 2 new articles, please click here to (more…)

Tom on TV & Radio Thursday & Friday. He will be on:

• BBC1′s The One Show this Thursday at 7pm with Danny O’Donnahue;

• Chris Evans BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Friday morning. The show begins at 6:30 a.m. GMT (four hours ahead of EDT in North America).

Also, he may turn up as a “surprise” guest on Sport Relief — the annual UK fundraiser that runs from March 23rd through March 25 — on Friday, March 23. (Actually, you can bank on that appearance, as OFFICIAL Tom Jones is once again playing coy, as they do with all these “surprise” appearances.) No time yet, though.

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If you didn’t see the two posts below, be sure to catch up on them and give your opinion in the comments.

At left, a quick, fun video that demonstrates the interplay between the judges on The Voice. You can watch another, longer, interview with Sir Tom here. It’s worth waiting for the ad/advert to end to see the interview.

Still lots of articles about The Voice UK. One awful London tabloid — The Mirror — refers to Sir Tom as the “60s singer.” Jeez. Below is an article with an obvious error. It says the show began Saturday night. It didn’t. So, if they’re that careless about facts, how are they with stories like this? Guess we’ll have to tune in to see. Apparently, it’s a true story and it surely speaks to the issue of speaking out of turn. Just wondering if this stuff should be made public before the show airs. Now, anyone watching it knows what happens before the contestant even has a chance to sing. That is ridiculous. Why bother watching?

Tom Jones Criticizes Non-Performing Talent Show Judges, Then Makes Major Mistake on The Voice
Tom Jones may think twice before criticizing other’s abilities at judging on talent show.

Vintage Vinyl Music | Monday, March 19, 2012

Jones is one of the four judges on the new British version of The Voice and, while publicizing the show, talked about Simon Cowell who judges on the competing show Britain’s Got Talent.

Tom said “I have problems when people who have never got up on a stage to sing judge those who do. Who are they to say? Simon Cowell is a record man, not a singer. How can someone give advice if he or she is not qualified? It’s like critics who criticise actors, never having been on a stage. Or having a teacher not experienced in teaching.”

The British version of The Voice premiered on Saturday night with Jones, Jessie J, will.i.am and Danny O’Donoghue as judges, all recording artists. For those not familiar with the program, during the early rounds, the contestants sing while the judges are on rotating chairs facing away from them, essentially allowing the judges to make decisions based solely on the singer’s voice and not on looks or other factors. If they want the singer on their “team”, they hit a button to turn the chair around.

Unfortunately for Jones, one of the contestants on the opening program was Alison Jiear, a singer who had done backup work for him during Australian tours and had opened for him at a recent show in London.

When Jiear sang, Tom didn’t turn his chair around.

A source told Britain’s Sun that Jones was torn up by his mistake. “Tom really likes Alison and felt terrible. It just shows how tricky the show is.”

Please check out the post below and the comments and join the lively discussion!

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Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 16, for Blues Fest. The line-up, at the Hammersmith Apollo in London and in Manchester is, in a word, dazzling. In addition to Sir Tom, there’s Van Morrison, Ronnie Wood, George Benson, Southside Johnny, Hugh Laurie (in Manchester the day ater Tom’s in London) and lots more.

Tom’s website says he’s singing “exclusive” material from his new album — yet, the album should be out for all to hear by then. On the other hand, Tom is so good at the blues, that one shouldn’t care that, as usual, OFFICIAL Tom Jones attempts to be exclusionary, hinting that if you don’t buy a ticket you won’t ever hear the music. Intentional or not, that’s what the word “exclusive” implies. Will they ever learn that fans are important to any career, even that of Sir Tom Jones?

Tickets are priced from £25 to £75. and are available at 9 a.m. here or at Ticketmaster, 0844 844 0444.

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It is quite instructive, after you read the story below, to follow the link to read the comments in the paper (just scroll down to the bottom of the articles about Tom and the other coaches in the link just above). Many people are already tired of reading about The Voice UK and there are objections to the fact that Tom’s decided on a winner, saying it’s not fair and lots of other things. It’s time to be quiet and let the public judge the show on its merits. Once again, can’t resist saying that such talk can come back to bite the talker. And, remember, Sir Tom put aside his objections to the format to appear on American Idol last year.

Tom Jones: I reckon I’ve already found a winner

By JEN BLACKBURN | Published: 12th March 2012 | The Sun

SIR TOM JONES believes he has already found the winner of The Voice – before the show is even screened.

The singing legend, a judge on the new BBC1 talent contest, was wowed by one female singer during the audition shows, which have already been filmed.

He said: “I think I’ve found a winner. She comes from a gospel-sounding background and has something I have never heard before. She has a uniqueness about her. Every time this girl sings she affects people.

“I cried, she moves me. That’s what I’m looking for.”

Joining Tom on the show’s panel are pop star Jessie J, Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am, and Danny O’Donoghue from The Script. Talking about the ten acts he picked to mentor, Tom joked: “Am I going to win? Yes, I’ve got great singers.”

But he revealed initially he was the only judge interested in the mystery contestant he has now tipped to win.

He said: “I’m glad that I was the only one that pressed the button for this girl.

“She was nervous when she came on. Now the other three are hearing her and they want her. I said, ‘You all had your chance, you should have pressed the bloody button.’”

Asked what other TV talent shows he’s been asked to judge Tom replied: “Let’s say all of them.”

The rest of this article and a newer one from the Huffington Post can be accessed by simply clicking here to (more…)

TJI learned for sure last week that Tom’s new CD has been mastered and, now, it is in a newspaper that it will be released in May. To promote it, he’s going back to the tracks — 2 UK racecourse dates for Sir Tom:

On Friday, June 22, Sir Tom will play Kingsholm Rugby Stadium in Gloucester, where he has family roots. Buy tickets here or call 0871 871 8781 opt 2. A VIP package including an allocated padded seat in prime viewing of the stage as well as access into a private lounge with its own bar and a welcome drink on arrival is £60. Add a two-course meal and it’s £100 and a hospitality suite and it’s £1,500 for 12 people. General admission is £32.

Negotiations noted here on December 27 have borne fruit and Sir Tom will again play Newmarket Racecourse. The date is Friday, August 10. “Adrian Simpson, sales and marketing director at Newmarket Racecourses, said: “We’re thrilled that Tom Jones is returning to Newmarket Nights in 2012. His performance last year sold out quickly so people interested in attending this year will need to be quick. We can guarantee everyone attending a wonderful evening of top racing and live music.”

Tickets are now on sale and start from £12 for under 16’s and £22 for adults. To book tickets or for more information visit Newmarket Racecourses or call 01638 675500. Prices range from £22 to £40 for adults and £12 to £17 for children.

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‘People are seeing and not listening’: Tom Jones slams other reality shows for focusing on styling over vocal talent

By Liz Thomas | The Daily Mail PUBLISHED: 18:19 EST, 11 March 2012 | UPDATED: 18:44 EST, 11 March 2012

Modern music is too focused on styling and production over vocal ability, Sir Tom Jones has warned. As on X Factor, left.)

The 71-year-old singer said people had got too used to “watching” artists and the industry needed to get back to basics of finding talented and unique stars.

In a dig at ITV’s The X Factor he added that his new show The Voice was purely about singing rather than a lavish production or an image overhaul.

He said: ‘People now are seeing and not really listening. You can see shows with a lot of singers in there and there is a production value involved, a lot of people like that kind of thing but I like to hear a voice.’

The veteran entertainer added that many artists today sounded the same because record bosses are too focused on finding acts that are similar or can be compared to those already a success.

He added: ‘I look and listen to these shows for talent. I don’t want to hear someone copying other people.

“I don’t want someone to say, oh you don’t move like so and so and so or you need to be more like so and so for production values.

‘We have to start with basic talent. It’s like listening to the record for the first time without knowing who that person is.’

The X Factor, which Cowell created, is famed for the millions it spends on production values to provide a Saturday night spectacle.

Sir Tom also said he had been offered a role on all the talent shows but had turned others down.

In a further criticism of The X Factor and similar shows, he said he opted for The Voice because it had “four coaches” instead of judges and the coaches were made up of successful singers rather than managers or record company bosses.

The X Factor has had a mix of artists, managers and record company bosses as its judging panel .

Sir Tom said: ‘We are here to be coaches. We are not judging them. It’s the first time they’ve had four singers as coaches not record producers.’

His comments come at a time when ITV and the BBC admitted they are embroiled in a bitter battle for Saturday night audiences, this spring.

BBC1’s The Voice will clash with Britain’s Got Talent on ITV1 when they launch on Saturday March 24.

To see the rest of this article and the interview with Will. i. am where he talks about Tom and explains why the UK version of The Voice is better than the US version, please click here to (more…)

Please don’t forget to answer the TJI.com Question of the Month for March in the post below.

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NEWS UPDATE: In addition to the promo video at left, The Voice UK posted a video that explains the first step in the show, the Blind Auditions. Each of the four coaches will have teams of 10 — in the US, it’s teams of 12. Presenter Reggie Yates calls the coaches “four of the biggest stars on the Planet Earth.” That is, I believe, a bit of overstatement. I’ll buy it for Tom Jones and, even, Will. i. am. (whom I saw in concert where he received a rapturous reception along with the other Black Eyed Peas), but Jessie J? And that other guy, Danny O’Donoghue? Really?

Anyway, after Blind Auditions come the Battle Rounds. This has to be the most difficult for the judges (and contestants). Here, the judge pairs two members of his or her team and give them a song to perform in a kind of “sing-off.” They get help from guest singing stars the coaches bring in and then they perform a duet. When that is over, each coach says who he or she would keep on the team and the coach of the two singers has to eliminate one and keep one. Has to be very difficult.

Here’s another video (with Tom) that explains the blind audition process.

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TOM IN FRANCE JULY 4: Apparently that war in the 1770s still annoys some people because Tom will celebrate U.S. Independence Day July 4 in Cognac, France at the Blues Passion Festival. He will appear with Sandra N’Kaké, Rosie Ledet, TROMBONE SHORTY & Orleans Avenue and The Delta Saints. Surely, he’ll have sun in the cognac region and you can, too. Get tickets here. The Festival runs from July 3 – July 8 and tickets are very reasonable. Also appearing are The Cranberries, Sting and Hugh Laurie.

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RUMOR OR REALITY? A story about alleged salary demands of the stars of Strictly Come Dancing, says the people on that show are demanding salaries at least comparable to the judges on The Voice UK.According to the Daily Mail:

“Rapper will.i.am is believed to be on £500,000, Sir Tom Jones is estimated to be on £300,000 while Jessie J will earn £200,000 and Danny O’Donoghue £100,000.” (At today’s exchange rate, £1=$1.58 or €1.199.You can be sure that, if the story is accurate, some of them are making less for the entire series than they probably earn in one or two concerts.)

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Tom Played A Corporate Event In Seattle On Friday, March 2. (It’s too bad he couldn’t manage a regular gig at the MGM March 3 or 4. The band must have been with him and it’s not a long or expensive flight from Seattle to Las Vegas. Copperfield was there but, still, it probably could have been arranged. Might not have been as lucrative, but it would have been something for the fans.)

Emirate Airlines, probably the most luxurious air travel in the world, celebrated the delivery of a new Boeing 777 their first flight between the Emirates and Seattle, Washington, Friday night with a gala attended by 600 invited guests at the Washington State Convention Center. Also on the bill was the Irish group Riverdance.

Here’s the story from the Puget Sound Business Journal:

A week of festivities for Emirates Airline and Boeing

“Months of nonstop marketing on the part of Emirates Airline culminated in the airline’s first direct flight between Dubai and Seattle on Thursday – a milestone that will be celebrated Friday night at a gala attended by some of the area’s business and political elite.

“Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire was so excited about the new route that she designated March 1 as “Emirates Day” in Washington state.

“Emirates, known for its luxury service, used the occasion of the inaugural flight to tout its recent order of 50 Boeing 777-300ER jets. The order, with options for 20 additional aircraft, is worth an estimated $26 billion at list prices. Boeing on Friday delivered its latest 777 to Emirates, the 1000th 777 produced by Seattle’s aerospace giant.

“Emirates has looked forward to the day when we would connect Seattle to our home hub in Dubai, on flights operated by state-of-the-art, Seattle-built aircraft,” Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group, said in a statement. The airline pointed out that it already is the world’s largest customer of the Boeing 777 and operates the aircraft to each of its six United States gateways: New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and now Seattle.”

Thanks, KT

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Lots of attention has been paid to the fact that only Spiller’s Record Store in Cardiff will have the tri-colored vinyl edition of Tom’s new 45.

Although the regular black vinyl will be available elsewhere and the songs are on iTunes today, the limited edition of 100 45s was only available in that one outlet in Europe. The record company says it goes on sale today in the US, yesterday in the UK. OFFICIAL Tom Jones finally corrected their disinformation a week ago.

People want these both for either of two reason or both reasons:

First, because Tom is the singer and, second, because the vinyl produced by Jack White’s Third Man Records is highly collectible.

The tri-color 45 sold for £15 ($23.80) at Spiller’s. The price for the regular vinyl is $6 in the US and 99¢ on iTunes.

In this interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC), Ashli Todd, owner of Spiller’s, talks about her plans for selling the limited edition record.

And here’s what happened when it went on sale:

Sir Tom Jones’ new single Evil sells out in just half an hour in special Spillers Records event

Western Mail | March 5, 2010

FANS and record collectors from as far as Rome queued all night to get their hands on a rare edition of Tom Jones’ new double A-side single.

The dedicated group took to the cold streets of Cardiff to try to bag a copy of his new release, Evil, from Spillers Records in Morgan Arcade, Cardiff. Only 100 copies were available, so the most dedicated fans turned up early to avoid disappointment.

All 100 copies of the £15 limited edition single, which features tri-colour vinyl, were sold in 30 minutes. Graf Middleton, a customer services assistant for Spillers, said: “Every person who queued up early got a copy, so it worked out well. This was the only place in the world to get the copies outside of the record label’s own shop in Nashville.”

For those who weren’t patient enough to spend all night queuing on the street, a standard seven-inch version of the single will be available.

The release was put out by Third Man Records, a label set up by former White Stripers frontman, Jack White, which specialises in producing limited edition records. White also co-wrote the new single with Sir Tom.

But collaborating with contemporary artists is nothing new for Pontypridd-born Sir Tom, 71, who released an album in 1999 in which he recorded with Stereophonics, Robbie Williams and the Divine Comedy.

In recent years Tom has also worked a lot with Jools Holland, but has also spoken about his desire to work with controversial US rapper Eminem and Las Vegas rockers The Killers.

Don’t forget to check out the videos in the posts below. There’s good stuff there.

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New Festival gig in the UK announced for Tom in August.

Tom will play the V Festival, either the 18th or 19th of August (doubtful he’ll play both) at Hylands Park, Essex and Weston Park, Staffordshire. the exact date and time haven’t been announced. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 2 at 10am. Official outlets are detailed on the V Festival Website. Virgin Media customers can buy tickets from 10am today, Monday, February 27. Other talent includes Nicki Minaj, the Killers, David Guetta, Snow Patrol, James Morrison, the Human League and lots more. Here’s Tom’s part of a 10-second V Festival 2012

The article just below are clearly reflections of Tom speaking his mind, but are also part of what looks to be a PR stunt to start a feud between The Voice UK and X Factor It can get ugly and probably will unless Tom (wisely) decides to put a stop to it. And did he really say he had to do such a show to, in a sense, rescue the genre? Hard to believe. After all, he did appear last year on American Idol and said nice things about that show — a Simon Cowell show.

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Sir Tom Jones blasts Simon Cowell saying he doesn’t know what talent is
People UK | Feb 26 2012 by James Davies, The People

MUSIC legend Sir Tom Jones has launched a scathing attack on Simon Cowell’s X Factor.

He said the ITV1 show had failed miserably to discover enough stars.

And he predicted his new BBC talent hunt The Voice would put that right – and expose the shortcomings of Cowell and his team.

Tom, 71, said: “Some of their judges aren’t even singers and wouldn’t be able to sing a note, so what do they know?”

The Voice will try to find a star based purely on their vocals because the judges won’t be able to see the performers when it starts on March 24.

Tom said: “At times it feels The X Factor is more about sob-stories and finding someone who’ll sell a lot of records quickly and then disappear than their singing ability.

“To me that’s wrong and that’s why I like the idea of The Voice so much.

“They haven’t found as many stars with world-class voices as they should.”

The Welsh superstar – who has sold more than 100million records in a 50-year career – went on: “Every time I see one of these shows I think half the decisions are wrong and it really frustrates me.

“Some of the judges don’t have the experience to be on talent shows – if you’ve only been in the industry two minutes, how can you offer advice?

“I have the experience and I listen to all sorts of music, so the advice I give will be valuable.”

Chart-topper Jessie J, 23, The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, 31, and Black Eyed Peas’ rapper will.i.am, 36, will help Tom judge contestants on The Voice.

Tom, whose worldwide hits include It’s Not Unusual, Delilah and Sex Bomb, said: “I got fed up with shows like X Factor and thought I better do one ­myself because the judging has been questionable.

“A singing contest should be about someone’s voice – not PR spin.” He added: “I’m genuinely excited about The Voice – it’s exciting, competitive and compelling television because it’s all about talent.

“I’ve been blessed over the years to have been able to share the stage with some of the worlds finest artists and I’m really enjoying being part of the team discovering a great new talent.

“I love to see new talent – I always have.

“It’s great to see young people singing so well and it’s nice to see singing is still alive and well.”

But despite his X Factor attack, Tom is a fan of talent shows – “as long as the kids on them are treated properly”.

Tom’s digs have left Cowell “incensed” according to friends.

Cowell’s shows X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent have discovered global stars such as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle and boy band One Direction.

A pal of the millionaire record boss said: “You are basically talking about worldwide success for nearly all of the stars who’ve come through the ranks on Simon’s shows.

“So it’s a bit rich for someone appearing as a judge on a BBC show that hasn’t even started yet to criticise him.”

The friend added: “Simon’s always held Tom Jones in high regard but he’s being drawn into a PR stunt by the BBC when he should know better.”

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At the rugby game Saturday at Twickenham, Katherine Jenkins (Remember, she sang Happy Birthday to Tom in Pontypridd at his 65th birthday concert?) tweeted the photo here. I posted bits of articles that are accessible, even to dolts like me who don’t understand rugby (or any kind of football).

The Observer said:
WELSH ROYALTY REVIEW

It’s not unusual to see Tom Jones at Twickenham when Wales are in town. Katherine Jenkins posted a picture of herself with him on Twitter, but more of a surprise was the sight of a grinning Andrew Flintoff alongside the Welsh singing duo. Jenkins won £20 off him in a match bet. Hospitality must have been good.

Kevin Mitchell in The Guardian said:

For long stretches of this match, Tom Jones sat tanned and mute in the stands, with a grim-faced Welsh army for company scattered around enemy HQ. It was not a happy place to be. Favoured Wales – who only months ago were a kick away from making the World Cup final while England were quietly disgracing themselves – were striving for their third win here in 26 seasons and they were letting the English play like, well, Wales.

The principality’s sainted warbler could have been forgiven had he stood up and belted out a few lines of their unofficial anthem: “Forgive me, Delilah, I just couldn’t take any more.”

But, like all good drama, there was a twist. Scott Williams came on to criminally waste a try-scoring chance in the second half, with Leigh Halfpenny screaming at him, unmarked; then the big man from Carmarthen scored the only try of the match when he ripped the ball from Courtney Lawes’s grasp, kicked through, gathered and flew over the line with the sort of glee only a penitent man could imagine.

At the right is the 58-second promo video for The Voice UK that was posted by the BBC yesterday.

Tom was at the launch event for The Voice UK in London on Friday, February 24.Photos of the event are in the

The BBC has launched a website for The Voice UK. Here’s Tom’s page.

According to K.T., at the taping of The Voice UK Thursday, “Tom looked great — fit and well, and he’s really got his new role. He really seemed to enjoy it more. He has a very strong team to go through to the next round.”

In a memo mistakenly circulated by the BBC, it slipped that The Voice UK willT begin its run on Saturday, March 24 on BBC One. he word on the street is that the live rounds begin in April.

An article published Thursday purports to have inside, backstage info about Tom’s dealing with the show:

Can Judge Tom find his voice for new BBC talent series?

Daily Mail | By Dan Wootton | 23 February, 2012

When BBC bosses signed 71-year-old singer Sir Tom Jones to be the judge on their expensive new talent series The Voice, it was hailed as a coup.

But my sources on the show say the Welsh icon initially struggled to adjust to his role and put in some worrying performances at the early pre-recorded auditions.

They tell me he found it difficult to adapt to working alongside his much younger colleagues Jessie J, 23, Black Eyed Peas member Will.I.Am, 36, and The Script star Danny O’Donoghue, 31.

However, while those working on the show admit he looked like he felt out of place at the beginning, they are confident he’ll be ‘comfortable’ by the time the live shows begin soon.

An insider explains: ‘Tom has really had to work to adjust to the format in all honesty. He is a legend as a singer but is not used to this sort of role.

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An article out today says Tom will make his” acting debut” and notes he had a “brief cameo” as himself in Mars Attacks! That is not, however, strictly correct. He didn’t have a brief cameo. He had a major role and one would guess that he had to act as, in real life, he’s never been in the midst of an attack by Martians. But this looks like fun, doesn’t it? He was a Teddy Boy so he probably knows the role requirements.

Sir Tom Jones to make his acting debut

WalesOnline | Feb 23 2012

Veteran chart star Sir Tom Jones is to make his acting debut in a new TV drama.

The It’s Not Unusual singer will star alongside Alison Steadman and Brenda Blethyn in the film, King Of The Teds.

Sir Tom – soon to be seen as a coach on BBC1’s forthcoming talent search The Voice – will be seen in the Sky Arts drama in the spring.

The 71-year-old plays Ron, a former bottle factory worker who was once the top Teddy Boy in his area as a youth. He and his wife Tina find their lives turned upside down when they once again meet a friend from their early days.

The Welsh singing star previously took a brief cameo role in Tim Burton’s comedy Mars Attacks, playing himself.

The new film is part of a Sky Arts series called Playhouse Presents … which also features one-off dramas with star names. This Is Spinal Tap star Harry Shearer will play Richard Nixon in one film, while David Tennant will appear in another scripted by novelist Will Self.

And Paul O’Grady has written his first screenplay – in which he also stars, alongside Sheila Hancock – called Nellie And Melba.

Geraldine James, Richard E Grant and Trevor Eve star in a further film in the series called The Other Woman.

James Hunt, director of Sky Arts, said: “We are thrilled to have this phenomenal calibre of talent involved in such interesting and original films on the channel.

“We’re hugely ambitious about bringing the very best comedy and drama Sky Arts to our customers, and we have no doubt that these stars, in the hands of these award-winning production companies, will do just that.”

Finally, Tom is set to play the Belsonic Festival in Belfast, on Friday August 24, 2012. Tickets on sale this Monday, February 27 at the Belsonic Festival website

TJI has heard unofficially that Tom will be back in the USA this autumn. But, of course, nothing official yet.

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As one of the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee — Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary as monarch — there is a lottery for tickets to a two-and-a-half hour concert. There will 5,00 people chosen and they will be given two tickets each.

The name of the individuals who win the tickets will be on them and they are not transferable. Winners must bring two forms of identification and, also, winners will be “able to enjoy a Jubilee picnic in the magnificent gardens of Buckingham Palace, before taking a seat in front of the Queen Victoria Memorial, where the concert will take place.”

The ticket ballot is, quite rightly, “open to those who are resident in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man; and to those who have a BFPO address.”

To apply, go to this link.

The concert will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 2.

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Will it be seen outside of countries that get BBC 1? Well, I’ll tell you what I know:

Moderators Note: I was contacted by someone who asked me to start a petition to get the concert broadcast on BBC America. I said before I did that I’d contact the BBC and see what the plans are. I’ve done that and the person with whom I spoke is “looking into it to see what’s up.” If there is a petition, I’ll let you know so you can sign it and get as many people as possible to to sign it, too.

To read the official statement about the concert released by Buckingham Palace, an article about it from a London newspaper along with two videos, please click here to (more…)