Insider reveals why the show will ‘make for interesting viewing for a generation of fans of The Voice’

FOR the past eight years Sir Tom Jones has been one of ITV’s ­biggest stars thanks to being a mentor on talent show The Voice.

Tom Jones at Willie Nelson's 90th birthday celebration.

But now the veteran crooner will mark his 85th birthday by telling his life story to the BBC
Sir Tom Jones will mark his 85th birthday by telling his life story to the BBCCredit: Getty
The Delilah singer has decided the landmark programme will form part of the second series of BBC One’s In My Own Words shows.

Set to be filmed and on air later this year, the series will focus on another group of talented stars who will look back on their extraordinary personal and professional lives.

And since Sir Tom turns 85 in June, it seemed like the perfect time to get the Welshman involved in a retrospective  on almost seven decades in showbusiness.

An insider said: “The new BBC Arts series made a big impression when it first aired last year, bagging some seriously credible names to profile.

“And they’ve performed the same feat for the follow-up season, drawing some of the biggest stars from the entertainment and creative industries.

“Though they’ll have to come up with some formidable talent to top having Sir Tom on the line-up.

“A look back at his incredible life will certainly make for interesting viewing for a generation of fans of The Voice, who only know him as a mentor on the show.

“They’ll probably be completely stunned when they see his incredible career outlined in detail, from singing with Elvis Presley to recording the themes for James Bond films.”

The debut series of In My Own Words, which aired in autumn last year, brought together an elite group of creatives.

They included steamy book writer Dame Jilly Cooper, novelist and filmmaker Hanif Kureishi, comedian Sir Billy Connolly and artist ­Alison Lapper.

So it looks like Sir Tom will be in good company in the second outing . . .  even if he isn’t necessarily in ITV’s good books for doing it.

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