Tom Jones had a helping hand from his cane, as he sat for his hits in the US (Picture : Splash News/REX
Sir Tom Jones used the aid of a walking sick as well as a trusty stool to deliver a medley of his biggest hits during a gig in the US this week.
The 82-year-old, who performed at the YouTube Theatre in California last night, has been open about issues with his hip, and has been seen using a cane in the past.
Despite docs telling him he needed to get his right hip seen to, the singer wasn’t about to postpone his US dates as part of his Surrounded By Time album tour.
According to Sir Tom, his hip woes are ‘wear and tear’ but his voice is still in great nick.
Sir Tom recently revealed after having surgery on his left hip, his ‘right hip is starting to go’, but he insisted he had this tour to get under his belt first.
The singer is scheduled to perform tonight in Santa Barbara, before moving on to Las Vegas, Rancho Mirage, Saratoga and finally San Fransisco on October 12.
Previously speaking ahead of The Voice UK, Sir Tom shared: ‘I’ve got to have a new hip.
‘I had [my left hip] done five years ago and it worked great, so now [my right hip is] starting to go – wear and tear! So at the moment, I’m bone on bone! That’s what the fella [doctor] told me.
‘But I’ve got a tour to do in America first, I can’t go in now. He said “well you should” and I said “I can’t, I’ve got a show to do!”‘
Sir Tom also explained he has a stool there to sit on when the pain gets a bit much.
He said, via the Standard: ‘I walk on, I’m alright for like four songs and then it really starts to hurt. So I sit on a stool and do the rest from there and everybody loves it.
‘I said look, it’s either me getting my bloody hip done and I won’t be able to come here, or do it from the stool and that’s it, so that’s what we’ve got to do.’
The crooner was recently forced to cancel a show in Budapest after falling ill, before revealing that he had viral laryngitis and was advised not to perform by his doctors.
After it was claimed he had ‘collapsed’ ahead of the gig, Sir Tom took to social media to set the record straight, writing: ‘Hello to all concerned: I travelled last night from the UK to Budapest and woke this morning with an uncomfortable throat.
‘A specialist came to visit and diagnosed “viral laryngitis.” He strongly advised postponing this evening’s show and prescribed medication and vocal rest.’
Sir Tom added: ‘I did not “collapse” anywhere at any time, that is pure rumour.
‘Hopefully the inflammation will calm soon as I am looking forward to continuing my wonderful summer tour.
‘Unfortunately the show had to be cancelled at the last minute, and for that I am very sorry. However, the show in Budapest has been rescheduled and will take place on August 16.
‘Thanks again for all your kind concern. TJ.’
