Sir Tom Jones defends his hit 'Delilah' after call to ban it from Welsh rugby matches
Sir Tom Jones says he's surprised by the row over his 1968 hit 'Delilah', after a campaigner said it was inappropriate for Welsh rugby fans to sing.
The Welsh Rugby Union has been urged to ban the song - which has become an unofficial anthem for Welsh rugby fans - after claims it trivialises the murder of a woman.
Former Plaid Cymru president and folk singer Dafydd Iwan said the song is inappropriate because it depicts a scorned man stabbing a woman to death.
But speaking on Thursday night, Sir Tom said: "I love to hear it sung at rugby games. It makes me very proud to be Welsh."
Sir Tom, 74, performed with the singer Paloma Faith at the BBC Music Awards in London last night.
Earlier this week the Welsh Rugby Union defended fans' rights to sing the song, saying it "has gained prominence through its musicality rather than because of its lyrics".
Written by Barry Mason and Sylvan Whittingham, with music by Les Reed, the song earned Reed and Mason a 1968 Ivor Novello award.