Tom Jones says no to panty tossers

September 20, 2014 11:24 am 1 comment Views: 42
Warming up ... Singer Tom Jones is preparing for his performance at the AFL Grand Final.

Warming up … Singer Tom Jones is preparing for his performance at the AFL Grand Final.
Source: Supplied

ATTENTION Tom Jones fans — please leave your knickers on.

The Welsh crooner is headed to Australia to perform at this week’s AFL Grand Final alongside young gun Ed Sheeran.

Days before he plays to 100,000 people, Jones will play one of his smallest ever Australian shows at the 1500 capacity Forum Theatre this Wednesday.

However, anyone thinking they’ll have a better chance to shower him in panties at close range should think again: Jones’ shows are now a undergarment free zone.

“Thank God that’s gone away,” Jones said. “It got in the way. If you’re trying to do a serious song it spoils it for everybody and causes giggles. That’s not what you want.”

Jones will perform a short greatest hits set before the Grand Final, and is also planning a special duet with Sheeran for the occasion.

Tom Jones AFL Grand Final

“Once we’re both in Melbourne we’ll work out what song we’re doing, whether it’s one of his or one of mine or another song all together,” Jones said. “But we definitely want to sing together and it’ll be a special thing just for the Grand Final.”

Jones has watched AFL games on TV in his LA home and is looking forward to seeing his first game in the flesh.

“I know how fast Australian Rules is, and those fellas look very fit. When I grew up in Wales footballers didn’t look like that. And there’s the extra goalpost, I noticed that. I thought I was seeing double.”

Jones and Sheeran will also perform at a free concert after the game at the MCG, which will be open to anyone, not just those at the event.

The superstar is aware of the Meatloaf not-so-Grand Final fiasco (“I heard rumours it didn’t go so well”) but his own voice has held up better than the larynx-challenged Bat Out of Hell ear-abuser.

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Going strong ... Singer Tom Jones, now 74, has no plans to slow down.

Going strong … Singer Tom Jones, now 74, has no plans to slow down.
Source: Supplied

“When was young I was a tenor, now I’m a baritone,” Jones says.

“Thank God my range is still pretty good. I’ve lost a little bit on the top but gained a lot on the bottom. People tell me it’s a richer sounding voice but not any less powerful.”

Now 74, Jones is working on what will be his 41st album and has no plans to slow down.

“I’d hate to retire. I’m not looking forward to the day when I can’t sing like this, that will terrible, then I’ll have to stop. Until those signs come up, if I’m not enjoying it as much as I am, and if the fans aren’t, then you’d think maybe I should bow out now than be a lesser performer. “I don’t think it’ll ever come to that. Hopefully it’s a long way away. I don’t know how long, I’m 74 now, but Tony Bennett is still singing and he’s 88.”

Jones spent much of this year on the UK version of The Voice with Kylie Minogue. While she’s pulled out of returning to the British show next year due to tour commitments, Jones will be back for a fourth year.

“Once we do the Grand Final I fly straight to Manchester to start The Voice blind auditions on Monday. I’m right into it. I love the show. If you’ve been in the business a long time why not try and pass your experience on and help younger singers and give them some tips?”

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

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