Tom Jones will miss being glued to TV in lockdown as he prepares for The Voice
Sir Tom Jones has revealed he will miss being glued to the TV in lockdown as he prepares to return to The Voice this weekend
Sir Tom Jones went from showbiz dynamo to contented couch potato during his seven-month lockdown.
The singer revealed he had been glued to the TV ahead of his return to The Voice this weekend after the series was cut short in March because of Covid-19.
Tom, 80, said: “Everybody was glad to get back. We’re already doing the next one but it’s great to finish this one off.
“TV is very important nowadays, because I watch more TV now than I ever have before.
“I’ve always loved watching television but it seems to be more now because you’re there, you’re locked in.
“Roadkill [BBC drama with Hugh Laurie], I love that. If you want a comedy, Schitt’s Creek on Netflix. The iPlayer and ITV, I know you can get on catch-up.
“I saw a great one on ITV, The Sister, which I thought was a great thriller. That was really something.
“And Life, with Alison Steadman. She is a friend of mine and she’s doing a great job.
“There’s been some really strong dramas and comedies, and all kinds of stuff people need. I mean I’m loving the whole thing as far as the TV experience is concerned.”
Tom’s devoted wife of 59 years, Linda, died of cancer in 2016 and their son, Mark Woodward, is his manager.
Tom has previously said how it was Linda who told him shortly before she died to relocate from Los Angeles to London.
The star will be alongside Will.i.am and Olly Murs for The Voice semi-finals tomorrow night with Meghan Trainor via video from the US as they pick the finalists for the following week.
It means the singers have had months to rehearse and message their coaches.
Tom added: “That’s a good thing as far as the singers are concerned because they’ve had longer to live with the songs. We’ve been watching them, making sure that they’re not making any mistakes.
“And my two, they’re both stronger on the songs now. They’ve gotten stronger and stronger. So this is as good as they’re going to get singing these songs.”
Will.i.am also believes the break could be a boost in terms of the winner landing a hit song.
He advised: “Take advantage of the fact there’s nothing to do, there’s nowhere to go, make songs for Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. Hopefully, somebody can get it on the charts.”
Olly added: “It’s just been a long wait for them and this is their dream to have done this and to come this far, and for it to be postponed for that long was difficult.
“But they’ve all turned up really excited, really positive, and if anything that has made us all pick up.
“My team has perked me up this week so I’m super-excited to see what they do at the weekend – and not just my team, everyone’s team.
“It’s going to be great TV, and everyone is going to love it.”
There are nine contestants, with the judges picking one act each for the final. The winner, who will be decided by a virtual audience, receives a recording contract with Universal’s UMOD.
*The Voice semi-final is on ITV, tomorrow night at 8.45pm.
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