Tom Jones blasts Simon Cowell's judging abilities

Tom Jones blasts Simon Cowell's judging abilities
Tom Jones blasts Simon Cowell's judging abilities (Image credit: PA)

Singing legend Tom Jones has hit out at Simon Cowell's ability to judge singers - saying that he is "not qualified" to do the job. The 71-year-old - who will be making his debut as a talent show judge on The Voice next Saturday night alongside Jessie J, will.i.am and The Script's Danny O'Donoghue - told the Mirror that he does not think the mogul is in a position to pass his verdict on singing talent, as he has never been a singer himself. "I have problems when people who have never got up on a stage to sing judge those who do," he said. "Who are they to say? Simon Cowell is a record man, not a singer. How can someone give advice if he or she is not qualified?" "It's like critics who criticise actors, having never been on a stage," Tom added. "Or having a teacher not experienced in teaching." The singer also revealed that he had been offered judging roles on other talent shows in the past, but had turned them all down. "I've been approached by other talent shows, not directly but through my agent, and I've always said no," he admitted. "I've never wanted to do one until I saw The Voice." However he added that he only agreed to do the show after knowing that he would be sharing space on the judging panel with other singers. "There are loads of judges with experience in the record industry, but can’t sing," Tom said. "They may work for a record company, but to have stood where that person is standing is a unique thing. That’s the difference."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.