Engelbert Humperdinck restarts long-running feud with Tom Jones

12 February 2024, 11:27

Engelbert - The Legend Continues... documentary trailer

Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones are at it again...

The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones. Blur vs Oasis. Boy George vs EVERYONE. The engine of pop sometimes seems powered by feuds between its highest-profile stars.

And one of the all-time great pop bustups is between Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones.

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The singers actually once shared a manager, but had a falling out in the 1970s that seems to continue to this day.

Perhaps their lowest point came in 2015 during a memorable interview with Metro when Sir Tom was asked about a possible reconciliation, and demurred: "It's as I say – once a c**t always a c**t."

While Engelbert shrugged off the comments at the time, The Sun now quotes him as joking of Sir Tom: "I think he's lost his voice. I don’t think he’s got it anymore."

He also seemed to target his rival's coaching role on The Voice UK, by adding: "I have enough experience to help people develop their talent."

Engelbert also eyed up another way to outdo Tom Jones, by emulating his memorable sets at the Glastonbury Festival.

Sir Tom played well-received performances at the event in 1992 and 2009, and Humperdinck thinks his next album could take him to Pilton.

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"I wouldn't mind doing Glastonbury," he said. "I'd have to have the right songs for that show. But my new project may give me that opportunity.

"It's out of my comfort zone and taking me into a different style, which may lead to Glastonbury."

Engelbert also revealed that his then-manager had turned down a chance for him to feature on Gorillaz' critically-acclaimed 2010 album Plastic Beach.

"That was a terrible mistake," he said.

"I would've jumped at the chance if they'd spoken to me.

"Hopefully, with this new project, I’ll be able to work with these sort of people. I want to record with them."