Sir Tom Jones’ signature stage look only happened by accident because he was sweating

Sir Tom Jones has explained what inspired his signature stage look at the height of his career in the 60s and 70s.

The crooner, who is a celebrity coach on The Voice UK – often appeared on stage in unbuttoned shirts for live performances, which definitely went down well with his legion of mostly female fans.

Pretty soon the look became as iconic as hits hits such as It’s Not Unusual, Delilah and What’s New Pussycat?.

And to think it came about completely by accident.

In an interview with GQ the 80-year-old revealed that at an audition in London – before the release of It’s Not Unusual – he felt hot and decided to open his shirt to cool off as he performed.

His manager Gordon Mills liked how Sir Tom looked so much that he insisted he always performed in open-necked shirts, and even had them specially made from then on.

The Sex Bomb singer shared: ‘I did an audition in London in 1964 for the Astor Club, before It’s Not Unusual came out, for this guy Bertie Green.

‘It was really hot in there, so I took my jacket off and did the audition in a shirt with it all open. Gordon Mills said, “That’s it, the shirt, that’s the look” – I didn’t have a bad physique then.

‘So, we started getting shirts made in London that were open. The look came about by accident, because I was sweating!’

He had a good physique then and Sir Tom makes sure he stays in shape even now, recently revealing the bizarre bat-like technique he uses to stay toned.

The star said the technique – where he hands upside down from a frame – also helps with back problems and boosting circulation.

Sir Tom added that he swears by boxing for a ‘good cardiovascular workout’ and tries to watch his diet.

‘I’ve got a 12-pack, but health is very important and that’s a lot of luck,’ he told The Sun, as he insisted: ‘You’ve got to take care of yourself.’

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