Singer Sir Tom Jones looks set to defy cancel culture and perform his iconic track “Delilah” at his first major show in his home country for two decades.
The legendary Welsh star will perform at the Cardiff Castle in July, and the song has been included in the set list for his performance.
The 82-year-old icon still has a special place in his heart for the song, telling the BBC in 2014 he “loves to hear it sung at rugby games,” adding that the lyrics are “not a political statement.”
Tom Jones performs at V Festival in 2015.
PA Features Archive/Press Association Images
Sir Tom said: “'If it's going to be taken literally like that then I think it takes the fun out of it. I think it takes the spirit out why it's being sung.”
The 1968 classic, which has nearly sixty million streams on Spotify, has been banned by the Welsh Rugby Union from being played at matches in the country because the lyrics include a reference to a woman being murdered by her jealous partner.
The governing body, which has recently been hit by sexism and discrimination allegations, took the song off its half-time entertainment and music playlist during Test matches in 2015.
“Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium,” a Principality Stadium spokesperson said.
“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.
“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song, and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”
Guest choirs have also been asked not to feature the song.
Despite the ban, the crowd on Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland started to sing the track at the start of the second half.
Nigel French
Despite the ban, the crowd on Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland started to sing the track at the start of the second half.
Speaking to Nana Akua on GB News, Christine Hamilton said it was an “absolutely bonkers decision,” with broadcaster Danny Kelly adding that “it’s mental.”
He said: “Where do you draw the line? One of Queen songs was ‘put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's dead.’ At what point do you draw a line? Thank God the Welsh fans have ignored this woke lunacy.”
Defending the decision, Nana said: “I don't know how appropriate it is for a rugby match.
“I'm not woke, but I potentially reconsider that one.”
The allegations have rocked the whole sport in Wales to its foundations.
In a tweet posted on Wednesday afternoon, Wales international wing Louis Rees-Zammit said: “All the things they need to do and they do that first….”
Welsh Conservative Sports Minister Tom Giffard said: “The decision is a wrongheaded one that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under. Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.
“What people have been calling for is institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU, but instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing.”
