Veteran Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones has questioned the decision to ban him from singing his classic Delilah at national rugby matches.
In February it was announced by venue owners that the song – whose lyrics depict the murder of a woman by her jealous partner – was no longer suitable for choirs to perform at the National Homestead Stadium in the Welsh capital, Cardiff.
The song has been one of Jones’ most popular hits since its release in 1968, and at a concert at Cardiff Castle on Friday night, the singer told the crowd he would continue to perform it.
“You can’t stop us from singing Delilah,” he told the audience, according to the BBC.
“Can you imagine… who was that guy who didn’t want us to sing Delilah?
“And we’ll keep singing it.”
Rugby singers stopped performing the song in 2015 and it was officially banned earlier this year.
At the time, Principality Stadium said of the performance at the huge venue: “Delilah will not be included in the singer’s playlist for the rugby international.
“Guest choirs have also recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.
“WRU [Welsh Rugby Union] Condemns domestic violence of any kind.
“We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters due to its subject matter.”