Sir Tom Jones issues apology for historic snub of John Lennon as he recalls ‘stupid’ dig at Beatles legend

Sir Tom Jones has issued an apology over a historic incident involving a brutal snub of Beatles star John Lennon.

The 84-year-old recently recalled how he had refused Lennon’s attempts to shake his hand while performing alongside him in 1975, as well as going on to admit he’d once wanted to “punch” the singer.

Welsh crooner Jones had been performing alongside Lennon and other stars during a tribute show for media mogul Sir Lew Grade when he gave the Imagine hit-maker the cold shoulder by refusing his attempts to shake hands.

In his book Over The Top and Back, Jones reflected: “Men holding hands with men…I was shy of that.

“So I shook it off – dropped his hand. Stupid, uptight reaction. I’m sorry now that I did that,” reports Wales Online.

It wasn’t the first time Jones had snubbed the iconic singer, with the Sexbomb hit-maker once stating he wanted to “punch the lippy Scouser in the mouth”.

The comments came as Jones remembered the moment Lennon poked fun at his 1965 hit It’s Not Unusual.

Jones shared how Lennon how been rehearsing for ITV’s Thank Your Lucky Stars, with Jones in the audience.

He detailed how Lennon had spotted him and began to sing his own version of the classic track, swapping the lyrics to “It’s not a unicorn, it’s an elephant”.

To make matters worse, Jones went on to add that Lennon had then nodded to him and made offensive remarks.

“John Lennon just took the p**** out of my song and then called me a p**f,” Jones added.

Upset by the scathing comments, Jones confessed he debated whether or not he should confront Lennon.

“I’m thrown into confusion: crushed and bristling at the same time. Should I melt into my seat or punch the lippy Scouser in the mouth?” he wrote.

However, his manager convinced Jones the comments had merely been Lennon’s humour style.

He went on to add that he should have ignored the remarks, stating his lack of experience in the industry had played a part in his reactive feelings.

“I’m touchy. I’m a novice. I’m working out where I belong here – if I belong here,” he penned.

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More recently, Jones got fans talking for a very different reason as he left BBC viewers “a wreck” with a Remembrance performance on Saturday.

Performing in front of King Charles III, Princess Anne, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as the nation’s military heroes, Jones sang a rendition of I Won’t Crumble With You If You Fall, leaving barely a dry eye in the house.

It didn’t take long for viewers to take to social media to admit they were in floods of tears over the emotional song and performance.