Sir Tom Jones returns to stage after hospital admission with pneumonia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 18:03 · Archive

Sir Tom Jones performed on Wednesday after spending a week in hospital in Los Angeles with pneumonia.

Sir Tom Jones performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday night after spending a week at UCLA Medical Center. The 86-year-old had been admitted to hospital following what he initially thought was a bad case of flu but developed into pneumonia. He told the audience he became unable to breathe and paramedics had to be called.

At the performance, Jones reflected on his hospital stay, saying the medical staff asked what he wanted to do next. "I've got to get back on the stage," he told them. "This is where I belong. I can't live without this." He described the experience to fans as deeply frightening, saying he had thought "this is it, you've had a wonderful life, Tommy, but it's over right now."

The BBC reports Jones spent two days in the ICU, while the New York Post states he spent a week in hospital overall. Jones had cancelled or rescheduled a number of concerts because of his illness. The original Los Angeles performance was scheduled for 26 October but was rescheduled to Wednesday night.

How it is being reported

• Tom Jones reveals he almost died during return to stage following serious mystery illness“I thought this was it, you had a wonderful life Tommy but it’s over now,” the singer told the crowd.New York Post · 5 Nov, 17:49
• 'You've had a wonderful life Tommy, but it's over' - Sir Tom feared he was dyingThe singer from Pontypridd told the audience just how serious his "bad case of the flu" was.BBC News · 5 Nov, 13:56

In this story: Sir Tom Jones · UCLA Medical Center · Los Angeles · Greek Theatre · The Voice UK · Pontypridd

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log