Sir Tom Jones claims singing "saved [his] life" after the death of his wife.
The 76-year-old singer had been married to Lady Melinda Rose Woodward – known as Linda – for 59 years, and had the heartbreaking task of being at her side when she passed away in April due to lung cancer. Five months later, and the ‘Delilah’ hitmaker says that he didn’t think he would ever sing again, but he’s glad he decided to carry on.
He told the Independent: "She passed away from lung cancer and it was very quick. By the time they found it, she only had less than two weeks. So that hit me hard, and it still has. I didn’t know whether I would be able to sing after that. But now I realise that singing is saving my life, once I started again."
The ‘It’s Not Unusual’ singer also struggled to perform his cover of Lonnie Johnson’s ‘Tomorrow Night’, as it was one of Linda’s favourites. However, the star said he pictures his childhood sweetheart whenever he sings it, and now he says it is a "joy" to perform.
He said: "It means more to me now than when I actually recorded it, since she’s passed away, because of how much she thought of it, because of how much she loved it. And the words in it are very meaningful. But to do it is a joy to me now. Because I’m seeing her. I’m remembering her when I sing it."
The news comes after the ‘She’s A Lady’ singer – real name Thomas Woodward – previously admitted that his late wife had told him to keep singing.
He said: "I have to be strong. First of all, I love singing. I mean, I get out of bed and I sing. I can’t help it. Linda wanted me to keep singing, she said not to stop. She was a strong woman."
Sir Tom Jones: Singing saved my life
