D
ame Shirley Bassey has said she would have been “delighted” to perform a duet with Sir Tom Jones at the Queen’s Jubilee concert, but was unable to attend due to her schedule.
The 85-year-old Welsh singer has explained why she was absent from the BBC’s Platinum Party at the Palace in June, after recent reports speculated she had refused to collaborate with fellow Welsh singer Sir Tom, as she wanted her own spot.
In a statement, Dame Shirley said she had been offered a solo appearance but was not able to travel to the UK at the time.
Sir Tom Jones (Matt Crossick/PA) / PA ArchiveShe said: “Newspaper reports this morning suggested that I had refused to perform at the Queen’s Platinum Party because I was unhappy at not being offered a solo appearance.
“This is entirely untrue. I was offered a solo appearance and would have been delighted to have done a duet with Sir Tom, but my schedule simply did not, at the time, allow me to travel to the UK.
“Through the years I have been honoured to perform at her majesty’s golden and diamond Jubilee, 90th birthday celebrations and Royal Variety performances. Here’s to many more!”
Duran Duran perform at the Platinum Party at the Palace (Kirsty O’Connor/PA) / PA WireThe Jubilee concert, staged in front of Buckingham Palace, featured a star-studded line-up including performances from Sir Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Duran Duran and Queen + Adam Lambert.
It also included live speeches by the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge.
The BBC said the Platinum Party at the Palace was the most watched programme of the year up to that date, with a peak viewing figure of 13.4 million, and an average audience of 11.2 million.
Register for free to continue reading
Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events.
ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? LOG IN
Tom Jones says Rod Stewart replaced him in Jubilee concert after Shirley Bassey fallout
Sir Tom Jones was notably absent from the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert earlier this year and has now spoken about why he didn't perform – saying that he'd been hoping to take to the stage
Video Loading
Video Unavailable
Rod Stewart reflects on his Party in the Palace Jubilee performance
Sir Tom Jones has revealed he did not perform at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration after a barney with Dame Shirley Bassey.
He says he was asked to join the BBC concert at Buckingham Palace but his slot fell through after his fellow Welsh singer refused to duet with him.
Sir Tom, 82 – who once performed with Dame Shirley, 85, on his TV variety series in 1970 – told how she was going to be his surprise guest in June.
But he said the Goldfinger singer had other ideas, adding: "Shirley said, 'If I don't get my own spot I am not going to do it'. It is fair enough.
Tom Jones said he was asked to take part in the BBC's Platinum Jubilee concert ( Image:
He said his slot fell through after Dame Shirley Bassey refused to duet with him ( Image:
"I thought it was a good idea. She would be the surprise guest and I would've said, 'Here is Dame Shirley Bassey to help me with the next song'.
"Then I would do mine and then we would do a duet. Which is fair enough but if she could not do that then she did not want to do it."
In the end neither singer performed. Sir Tom said that was also down to him being asked to "run up and down a ramp" while singing Sweet Caroline because he is awaiting a hip replacement.
He added: " Rod Stewart ended up doing it. It was all very much up in the air so Rod said, 'I will do it'."
He said that Rod Stewart, pictured at the concert in June this year, stepped in instead ( Image:
Sir Tom will be back on our screens as The Voice UK returns to ITV on Saturday.
He said he had postponed his hip surgery until October 28 so he could finish his US tour Surrounded by Time and not upset fans.
Sir Tom said: "I have got to have a new hip. I had this one done [left] five years ago and it works great, so now this one is starting to go." He does not take painkillers but now has a walking stick.
Sir Tom added: "I am all right for four songs and then it starts to hurt and I sit on a stool. I am as dedicated as the Queen. I have got to be steadfast."
Tom and Shirley had once performed together on his variety show in 1970 ( Image:
Tom is back on our screens alongside the likes of Olly Murs (pictured) for the new series of the Voice ( Image:
Do you enjoy reading about celebrities? Sign up for all the best celeb news from the Mirror here .
The Voice UK will go head-to-head with Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1 later this month.
But Olly Murs, a coach like Sir Tom on the singing show, is not focusing on the ratings battle.
He said: "I think Strictly is an incredible show. They are different - we know Strictly is huge so we are not even trying to compete"
Olly, 38, said he would be on hand to help Sir Tom once he gets his new hip as he lives close by. The Essex star added: "I live down the road from Tom. If he needs me, I am there."
Dame Shirley was contacted for comment.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at or call us direct 0207 29 33033.