Tom Jones apologises for 'stupidly' snubbing pop star he wanted to 'punch in the mouth'
Sir Tom Jones has issued an apology after his “stupid” behaviour led to him “snubbing” The Beatles legend John Lennon - years after he wanted to “punch him in the mouth”.
The Welsh singer was performing on A Salute to Sir Lew Grade in April 1975. The tribute show dedicated to the media mogul was Lennon’s last televised performance.
The star rarely performed to large audiences after The Beatles split. But he joined the likes of comedian Peter Sellers and Dave Allen on the star-studded bill.
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After performing their own sets, Sir Tom and Lennon joined the other stars on stage for the grand finale. Having shaken hands with Dame Julie Andrews and Sellers, Sir Tom found himself standing next to Lennon.
As the Scouse singer went to grab Sir Tom’s hand, the Delilah singer pulled away. In his book Over The Top And Back, he explained: “It felt strange to me.
“Men holding hands with men…I was shy of that. So I shook it off - dropped his hand. Stupid, uptight reaction. I’m sorry now that I did that.”
It wasn’t Sir Tom’s first encounter with the legendary singer, however. In his book, he also confessed he wanted to “punch the lippy Scouser in the mouth” after he poked fun at his song It’s Not Unusual, earlier in the Welsh singer's career.
Lennon was rehearsing for ITV’s Thank Your Lucky Stars while Sir Tom was watching on from the auditorium. The 84-year-old says Lennon spotted him and was inspired to start singing.
He added: “And what he sings is It’s Not Unusual, except with his own words. ‘It’s not a unicorn, it’s an elephant’.
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“Then he nods at me and says ‘how are you doing, you Welsh poof?’ Wow, a double-slap. John Lennon just took the p*** out of my song and then called me a poof.
“I’m thrown into confusion: crushed and bristling at the same time. Should I melt into my seat or punch the lippy Scouser in the mouth?”
Sir Tom says his then-manager Gordon Mills eventually calmed him down by explaining it was just Lennon’s “sense of humour”. The singer shared, on reflection, that he should have just “rolled with it” at the time, but was a novice in the industry.
He added: “I’m touchy. I’m a novice. I’m working out where I belong here - if I belong here.”
Sir Tom will be performing at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall from 9pm tonight on BBC One tonight.
He will appear alongside the likes of Jack Savoretti, Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, Samantha Barks, Alexandra Burke and Jake Isaac.
