Sir Tom Jones moved fellow The Voice UK coach Anne-Marie and viewers to tears in the first episode of the new series on Saturday night as he paid tribute to his late wife.
The legendary Welsh singer was encouraged by the audience during a break between auditions to do an impromptu performance after the coaches discussed which song they would use if they auditioned for the show.
After sharing that he would prefer a “power ballad”, he chose the song I Won’t Crumble With You If I Fall from his 2021 number one album Surrounded by Time.
Remaining in his red swivel coach’s chair for the spine-tingling rendition, he had a visibly excited Anne-Marie, as well as fellow judges Olly Murs and Will.Iam captive, along with a silent studio audience.
After it was over, Anne-Marie told him: “I think it was one of the best moments of my life,” while Ollie said “it was so special.”
However, when the It’s Not Unusual star revealed the meaning she attaches to the song, it moved the 2002 singer to tears.
“My wife, she was dying of lung cancer,” he began, referring to the death of his wife of nearly 60 years, Melinda, in 2016.
“I was always able to fix things, I was always able to do things, if she needed me for something, I was always there,” he explained.
“But she said you can’t crash with me, don’t crash with me now, you’ve done your best, you’ve got to keep doing what you’re doing.
“When I heard it, I thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s like this was written for this situation.’ It’s a wonderful song.
Anne-Marie had previously revealed that she had to leave the set afterwards because she was so overcome after his performance.
“It’s not because it was bad, it’s because it was so emotional, it’s a testament to him and why he’s been able to stay this long because he feels it,” she told Daily Star and other press.
“Every word he says and every song he puts out is because he means it and he was singing this song and he said it’s my wife’s and it screwed me over.”
Ollie added: “When you see someone who loves their wife so much, you can see the pain.”
Viewers were also moved by Sir Tom’s voice and words.
“Ah, that moment of deep emotion,” one fan commented, while another added: “Really beautiful.”
“This brought tears to my eyes, so emotional,” one fan wrote. “Thank you for sharing this beautiful song with us. Looking Ollie’s way [sic]Will and Anne-Marie look at you in ore [sic] and with such love and respect it is so heart warming.
“Thank you for the beautiful words at the end about your late wife,” they added.
The Voice continues next Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
Got a story?
If you have a celebrity story, video or photos, contact the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected]by calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Consignment page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE: Masked Dancer: Jesse Metcalf Is First Star Eliminated As Astronaut Without Mask
MORE: Joe Lissett fans applaud comedian’s ‘Grade A trolling’ Sunday With Laura Kuensberg: ‘I’m incredibly right-wing’
