The Voice UK EXC: Sir Tom Jones wows the virtual audience with a powerful rendition of Cry To Me

Sir Tom Jones wows the virtual audience in Saturday night’s The Voice UK with a powerful rendition of Cry To Me.

The music legend and judge, 80, performed the Solomon Burke song as his fellow judges watched on.

Tom sang the number between auditions during the second Blind Auditions show on Saturday night, while acting as a mentor on the show.

Amazing! Sir Tom Jones wows the virtual audience in Saturday night’s The Voice UK with a powerful rendition of Cry To Me

Olly Murs, 36, danced along to the hit while Anne-Marie, 29, and will.i.am, 45, enjoyed the performance.

The audience, who tuned in via video call amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, cheered on as the She’s A Lady hitmaker belted out the lyrics. 

Cry To Me was originally written by Bert Burns and recorded by American soul singer Solomon Burke, and was later re-recorded by The Rolling Stones and Freddie Scott. 

Performer: The music legend and judge, 80, performed the Solomon Burke song as his fellow judges watched on

Performer: The music legend and judge, 80, performed the Solomon Burke song as his fellow judges watched on

Speaking on his love of music, the What’s New Pussycat? hitmaker said: ‘Music, the love of it. It’s that simple. Really enjoying listening to all kinds of music, I always have enjoyed that. 

‘If you don’t enjoy music more than anything else, then you’re in the wrong business. If you want to be a football player, go and play football. You can’t sing on the side. 

‘I knew that I wanted to be a singer. I wasn’t that interested in rugby, like the rest of the fellas that I used to hang out with when I was a kid. 

Mentor: Tom sang the number between auditions during the second Blind Auditions show on Saturday night while acting as a mentor on the show

Mentor: Tom sang the number between auditions during the second Blind Auditions show on Saturday night while acting as a mentor on the show

‘I wasn’t that good at it and I knew that. I wasn’t that good at any sport, really, the only thing I really wanted to be was a professional singer. 

‘And I thought if I could make this my profession and not have to do a job in order to survive, like most people do in life, I’m lucky.’ 

On last Saturday’s show, Tom was left overcome with emotion as Stevie Wonder, 70, recorded a message for him as a belated birthday present, after celebrating his 80th back in June. 

Fellow judges: Olly Murs, 36, danced along to the hit

Lovely: Anne-Marie (pictured), 29, and will.i.am, 45, enjoyed the performance

Fellow judges: Olly Murs (left), 36, danced along to the hit while Anne-Marie (right), 29, and will.i.am, 45, enjoyed the performance

Coming soon: The show continues on ITV on Saturday night at 8.30pm

Coming soon: The show continues on ITV on Saturday night at 8.30pm

The Welsh music legend was surprised with the clip while acting as mentor in the series 10 launch. 

Fellow judge will.i.am asked Tom if he had ever sung with Stevie, with Tom admitting the pair were friends. 

will.i.am then asked for a video to be played, which showed Stevie in his garden singing Tom’s hit It’s Not Unusual. 

The virtual audience clapped along while new judge Anne-Marie was left in shock, remarking: ‘Wow.’ 

Stevie mused: ‘I had the pleasure of not just meeting that person who sang that song but meeting a new friend. And I know that that friendship will last for a lifetime.

‘So many wonderful moments we’ve shared. I still remember when we did your show and I was telling you the words to Uptight, you were telling me the words to It’s Not Unusual. I played drums and it was just a wonderful thing. 

Emotional: Tom was overcome by emotion after Stevie Wonder, 70, recorded a belated birthday message for him

Emotional: Tom was overcome by emotion after Stevie Wonder, 70, recorded a belated birthday message for him

Singing: A video played, showing Stevie sitting in his garden and singing Tom's hit It's Not Unusual

Singing: A video played, showing Stevie sitting in his garden and singing Tom’s hit It’s Not Unusual 

‘I love you with my whole heart and I want you to promise me that you will do your best to give us another 80 years.’

The judging panel laughed as Stevie continued: ‘Tom Jones, God bless you.’ 

Fellow judge Olly Murs asked Tom how he felt after seeing the message, with Tom responding: ‘Yeah, nice, he’s a wonderful person and it was a pleasure to sing with him. 

‘I hope I can sing with him again sometime.’ 

  • The Voice UK continues on Saturday at 8.30pm on ITV. 
Touching tribute: Tom got teary eyed as the music legend shared a touching tribute to him

Touching tribute: Tom got teary eyed as the music legend shared a touching tribute to him