Sir Tom Jones has revealed that he feared his life was over after being hospitalized with flu in the United States. The 86-year-old singer from Pontypridd spent a week at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, forcing him to cancel and reschedule several concerts.
But on Wednesday night, he returned to the stage at the Greek Theatre and told the audience just how serious his illness had been.
"[I thought] Oh well, this is it, you've had a wonderful life, Tommy, but it's over right now," he said. "I must say this, in the UCLA, they really did a wonderful job. So I'm here."
He added: "[The medical staff said] What do you want to do now? I was in there for a week. And I said, 'I've got to get back on the stage'. This is where I belong. I can't live without this, believe me."
Recent Headlines
Sir Tom recently made headlines after revealing that ITV had "made the decision" to "fire" him from The Voice UK coaching panel, having served as a coach on the singing competition since its debut in 2012. In the latest series, and his last as a coach, he mentored Welsh singer Cate McHugh to victory. McHugh previously told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that being chosen to be on Team Tom at the blind audition was "absolutely undescribable".
Sir Tom Jones has appeared as an on-off coach on the singing competition since it premiered in 2012.
Legendary Career
The Delilah and It's Not Unusual singer has achieved three UK number one singles and four chart-topping albums during a music career spanning more than six decades. His awards include one Grammy and two Brits, and in 2006 he received a knighthood from the late Queen Elizabeth II for services to music.
He is next due to perform at the Yaamava' Theater in San Bernadino, California on Friday.
