Loud boos could be heard on Wednesday night as Tom Jones headlined Cardiff Castle as part of its summer of live outdoor shows.
The singer, 85, took to the stage to perform his greatest hits – including New Pussycat, Sex Bomb, and I’m Growing Old as he opened the first of his two nights there.
However, when Tom moved onto his hit track Delilah, which was released in 1968, the crowd’s reception took a frosty turn.
The ballad had previously been adopted by the Welsh Rugby Union for a number of years before it was banned from sporting fixtures in 2023.
Bosses made the decision due to its controversial lyrics about a lover stabbing a woman.
Delilah tells of an opportunistic murder by a man who waits until his former partner’s lover leaves her home before making his move.
Loud boos could be heard on Wednesday night as Tom Jones headlined Cardiff Castle as part of its summer of live outdoor shows
The singer, 85, took to the stage to perform his greatest hits – including New Pussycat, Sex Bomb, and I’m Growing Old as he opened the first of his two nights there
When Tom moved onto his hit track Delilah, which was released in 1968, the crowd’s reception took a frosty turn as he addressed its controversy
Its lyrics say: ‘At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting. I cross the street to her house and she opened the door. She stood there laughing… I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more.’
Addressing the debate on Wednesday night, Tom told the audience that the lyrics of the song should ‘not be taken literally’.
He said: ‘Who’s that man who said we shouldn’t sing that song anymore? That used to make my day that on an international match.’
Tom, visibly unhappy over the ban, continued: ‘I used to wait for it and then they said we can’t sing it anymore.
‘Who is this man who said we can’t sing Delilah? They said it’s about a man killing his wife with a knife. Well it is, but you shouldn’t take it literally.’
According to The Mirror, the Welsh singer’s comments resulted in boos from the audience who appeared to support his view.
Tom also used his time on stage to take a swipe at MPs from across the political spectrum as he said: ‘You’ve got to be careful of politicians.
‘You know when a politician is lying? When his lips move.’
Delilah had previously been adopted by the Welsh Rugby Union for a number of years before it was banned from sporting fixtures in 2023
Delilah tells of an opportunistic murder by a man who waits until his former partner’s lover leaves her home before making his move, though Tom told his fans not to take the lyrics literally
Meanwhile, The Voice UK coach was forced to cancel a show just last month due to health issues, hours before he was due on stage in Bremen, Germany.
He took to Instagram with a statement and told fans that he’d contracted an upper respiratory infection that would require ‘treatment and rest’.
Sir Tom said he was ‘very sorry’ to backing out at the last minute before confirming a rescheduled date for next week, Monday July 28.
The Sex Bomb singer’s statement read: ‘Hello to all the fans in Bremen. Unfortunately, I must postpone my show this evening, as I’ve contracted an upper respiratory infection that needs treatment and rest’.
‘I know this is really disappointing and will cause inconvenience to you all, and I’m very sorry about that. But the show will now go ahead on Monday 28th July, so I look forward to seeing you then. All tickets will remain valid for the re-scheduled date’.
Racing to the comments fans were quick to send Sir Tom their best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery, including former Voice co-stars Anne-Marie and Olly Murs.
