Sir Tom Jones has revealed he genuinely believed he was dying after a severe bout of flu developed into pneumonia, leaving him hospitalised in Los Angeles for a week in late October. The illness forced the 86-year-old Welsh singer to postpone several dates on his Come Gather Round tour across the United States.

The music legend, who was knighted in 2006 and has performed for more than six decades, is now back on stage but has spoken candidly about how close he felt to the end.

Jones described the ordeal on stage at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday 4 November, his second performance since falling ill. 'Oh well, this is it, you've had a wonderful life, Tommy, but it's over right now,' he told the audience, recalling what went through his mind during his hospital stay.

He also thanked the medical team at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he was treated. 'I must say this, in the UCLA, they really did a wonderful job. So I'm here,' he said.

From 'Bad Case of the Flu' to Week in Hospital

Jones first told fans something was wrong on Instagram on Monday 26 October, only hours before he was due on stage at the Greek Theatre. He announced he was postponing that night's show and the following evening's concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in San Diego, saying he had been 'hit with a bad case of the flu' and was following doctor's advice.

He had already completed 20 shows across the United States before falling ill. Jones told the audience that what began as a bad case of flu developed into pneumonia. He also recalled struggling to breathe and needing paramedics to take him to hospital. He spent two days in intensive care, according to reports of his remarks.

Jones said he spent a week at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. When medical staff asked what he wanted to do next, he recalled replying: 'I've got to get back on the stage. This is where I belong. I can't live without this, believe me.'

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Music Legend Tom Jones Back on Tour After Flu Scare

His performance at the Yaamava' Theater in Highland, California, originally scheduled for 29 October, was also postponed to Friday 6 November. Tickets for the original dates remain valid, and refunds are available through the original point of purchase for those unable to attend.

His performance at the Yaamava' Theater in Highland, California, originally set for 29 October, was also postponed to Friday 6 November, according to reports.

Tom Jones' Previous Health Problems and TV Row

Jones has had other health problems in recent years. He postponed a US tour in 2017 and underwent a hip replacement, and had his other hip replaced in 2022. In July 2018 he was treated in hospital for a bacterial infection and cancelled several shows in the UK and Europe.

His latest illness came weeks after he said ITV had made the decision to remove him from the coaching panel of The Voice UK. Jones, an on-off coach since the show launched on the BBC in 2012, said in September that he had not chosen to leave and was unhappy with what ITV offered him in place of a coach's role.

'There's never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job,' he said.

ITV has said he will no longer be a full-time coach on the next series.

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