Imagine – Tom Jones

BBC One · TV Week · 05 Jul 2010 · by: BBC

Alan Yentob meets a musical legend who is preparing to celebrate his 70th birthday in the summer of 2010, as the arts series concludes.

During an intimate and revealing encounter, Sir Tom Jones looks back on a remarkable singing career, reflecting on his highs, lows, achievements and regrets.

A pop legend, a soul singer, and a true rock 'n' roller, Tom Jones (often referred to as The Voice) possesses the dynamic stagecraft and supercharged vocal power that won the admiration of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra – and, of course, millions of fans all over the world. Such illustrious endorsements should come as no surprise; in a career spanning almost five decades. Sir Tom has sung almost every idiom in popular music – including pop, rock, show tunes, country, dance and techno. He has also sold more than 100 million albums, hosted a successful TV variety programme, and has headlined at some of the biggest venues in Las Vegas.

Featuring exclusive contributions from an outstanding line-up of fellow musicians and former collaborators, including Jools Holland, Sandie Shaw, Robbie Williams, Cerys Matthews and Kelly Jones, this film attempts to get a glimpse of the real man behind the showman – and to show how this septuagenarian is still striving to be as relevant today as he ever was.