Sir Tom Jones is set to return to the famous red chair on The Voice UK this Saturday. Away from the spotlight, the Welsh music legend has lived a remarkable life filled with love, loss, family, and some difficult chapters.
Born Thomas Jones Woodward in Pontypridd, South Wales, in 1940, Tom grew up in a working-class Welsh family. His father was a coal miner, and his early years were far removed from the glamorous world he would eventually enter. Music became his escape, and he began performing in pubs and clubs while still a young man. His career took off in the 1960s, turning him into an international star.
A Six-Decade Marriage
One of the most important people in Tom's private life was his wife, Linda. The couple met as teenagers and married in 1957, when they were both still very young. Their son, Mark, was born the same year. While Tom's career exploded, Linda remained an important part of his life. Their relationship lasted for almost six decades, through the highs and lows of his extraordinary career.
Tom changed his name as a smart career move. His manager, Gordon Mills, gave him the new name in 1963 to use the massive fame of the hit, Oscar-winning movie Tom Jones. The catchy name helped him stand out and get noticed.
Strain and Loss
Tom's fame, however, came with a price. He has spoken openly over the years about his numerous affairs during their marriage, something that placed enormous strain on their relationship. Despite the headlines and difficulties, Tom and Linda stayed together. In 2016, Tom suffered one of the greatest losses of his life when Linda died after battling cancer.
Her death deeply affected the singer. For a man who had spent much of his life performing in front of huge audiences, grief made it difficult for him to continue as normal. Music, which had always been such an important part of his identity, suddenly felt different. Tom later spoke about how Linda had encouraged him to carry on with his career. Eventually, he returned to performing.
Health Battles and Recovery
Despite continuing to perform into his eighties, Tom has experienced several health problems over the years. One of the biggest has been his hips. He had his left hip replaced in 2017. Five years later, he revealed that his right hip had also deteriorated and that doctors had advised him to undergo another replacement. At the time, he joked that he had been trying to fit the operation around his busy touring schedule.
In November 2022, Tom confirmed that the second operation had gone well, telling fans that he now had "two new hips" and was undertaking physiotherapy during his recovery. More recently, in July 2025, Tom was forced to postpone a concert in Bremen, Germany, after developing an upper respiratory infection that required treatment and rest. He subsequently returned to performing, including an appearance at Camp Bestival in Dorset.
Return to The Voice
Now Tom is preparing to return to The Voice UK this Saturday, bringing one of the show's most familiar faces back to the coaching panel. Tom has been part of The Voice since the programme first arrived on British television. He was one of the original coaches when the series launched and has remained closely associated with the show over the years.
His return means viewers can once again expect to see his familiar combination of warmth, humour and experience as he listens to singers hoping to make their breakthrough. For the contestants, having Tom sitting opposite them is no small thing. He has spent more than 60 years working in the music business, performing everywhere from small Welsh venues to some of the world's biggest stages. That experience gives him a unique perspective when it comes to judging a performer.
The Voice UK returns on Saturday 22 August at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
