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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katie Wilson

Tom Jones, 82, sparks health concerns as he performs concert sat down clutching a cane

Sir Tom Jones has sparked health concerns after being pictured using a cane to help him stand during his American tour.

The 82-year-old Sex Bomb singer belted out his greatest hits at The YouTube Theatre in California last night.

While the show went down well with fans, Sir Tom spent most of the performance sat down and clutching on to his cane, which he used for support every time he needed to stand up.

But perhaps the cane is just precautionary, as The Voice UK coach has been photographed using one several times this year.

And earlier this month, the music legend revealed he needs to have a second hip replacement operation.

The Welsh crooner started the show on his feet (MoPho/SplashNews.com)
But he clutched a cane throughout his performance (MoPho/SplashNews.com)

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The Welsh crooner had his left hip replaced five years ago, but doctors have advised him to have surgery on his right one, which has been causing him issues.

Speaking at a recent press conference ahead of the new series 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.”

The problem appears to be finding the time to book the surgery in – as Sir Tom already had his US tour scheduled.

After a few songs, Sir Tom finished the rest of the gig seated (MoPho/SplashNews.com)
He told fans he needs a second hip replacement operation (MoPho/SplashNews.com)

Ever the professional, he said he told doctors: “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!’

Explaining how he copes on stage, Sir Tom added: “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.”

Although he is in pain, Sir Tom revealed he had been shunning painkillers, insisting he would “rather not” take them.

Sir Tom will be back as a judge on The Voice UK later this month (ITV)

While his body may be failing him slightly at the ripe old age of 82, Sir Tom says there is absolutely nothing wrong with his voice.

Reassuring fans, he said: “I’m lucky I’m in good health. I’ve got nothing wrong with me. It’s just wear and tear. My voice is still in great shape. Everything is ticking away nicely.”

He has even vowed to keep performing until he reaches 100 if he lives that long - and has discovered an unusual new way to help keep agile as he battles niggling back pain.

Sir Tom told The Mirror: "I have an inversion table in my dressing room, so I lie upside down for a couple of minutes and then you come up and then you can walk.”

"I tried singing upside down but all the audience would have to stand on their heads too,” he joked.

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