Iconic singer Tom Jones, 80, speaking on "The One Show" on the BBC, had the show's co-hosts choking up as he spoke about his wife of 59 years, Linda.
Saying his new album Surrounded by Time features songs telling stories of different parts of his life, Jones — via Zoom — said that Linda's death from lung cancer is reflected in the tune "I Won't Crumble with You If You Fall."
Jones related, "I said, 'My God, Linda, I don't know what I'm gonna do with myself because I won't be able to sing, I won't be able to get the words out.' She said, 'You must!' She said, 'Don't fall with me,' you know, 'I gotta go — but you don't have to.'"
He went on to say she urged him to "go and do what we planned to do," which meant moving back to London.
"When you get on the stage, think of me laughing. Don't think of me as I am now, think of all the years we've had together, and that should lift you up," he quoted her as saying.
Jones had been about to tour Asia when his wife was diagnosed with cancer and given only one week to live. She died five years ago this month.
They had a tight union that endured his self-admitted philandering, including fathering a son out of wedlock — a young man he has refused to meet.
More at HuffPost UK.
