Tom Jones

I haven't become an American! Having a house in LA is just where the house is. It's just a convenience thing living there. I carry Wales around inside me. I'd consider moving back there one day. I never really left.

Time is my enemy. Time will catch up with me vocally. And I dread that. I dread to think about life without singing.

I've always felt myself as being a serious singer.

Oh yeah, I would have been a coal miner, I would think, if I hadn't had tuberculosis when I was 12.

I don't think you can sing about certain things when you're a teen-ager or in your early 20s, because you haven't lived long enough. So I think living gives you character and that comes out in your voice.

I didn't like to be restricted, because when you're in a choir, you have a part to sing and you sing it. I always liked singing on my own.

I didn't have to play rugby that well, and I didn't have to play cricket that well, because I had this voice.

So when I realised I could sing for a living - do what I loved and be paid for it - I thought, 'This is unbelievable. Unbelievable!' And that feeling has never left me.

I have a weakness for watches. I have to stop myself buying more.

I think the first time I ever wore a tuxedo was when I played at the Talk Of The Town in 1967, because it was a nightclub and that was the thing to do.

Dean Martin always dressed very well but then he was a good looking fella with a good physique so he could wear anything.

I'm a lyric man - I'm always looking for meaningful songs.

I come from a coal-mining, working-class background. My father was a coal miner.

I've always worn jewellery but for a time it went out of fashion. Like grungy and punk bands didn't wear jewellery because it was stupid.

I love listening to new stuff, at home in LA I always have the radio on to hear what is happening.

I have had some pretty wild nights! I think the media keeps a very close eye on what people are up to these days. I was out with George Clooney a few nights ago and we had a great time.

As for the music business itself, the key things have not changed that much. It operates like any business and money still keeps things moving.

When I started recording, I thought I'd be able to do all kinds of records: jazz, country, dance - and I've always wanted to do a gospel album.

I like to drink to suit my location.

There's plenty for me to do. There are more albums. I'll record as long as I can and as long as my voice works as well as it does now and for as long as people want to hear me.

I've always liked to dance - I've got a natural rhythm.

I've tried wearing more than one ring on one hand and it doesn't look good. It's overkill, I think. So I think a ring on either hand. Nine times out of ten I'll go for pinky rings, but not always.

Winning the Outstanding Contribution award is great, because you know you have won in advance. Previously, I have been really nervous during the ceremony because you have no idea if you are going to get called up on stage. This time I could relax and enjoy myself.

Music is great; it all depends on what mood you're in, what you want to listen to. If it's party time, you listen to, you know, party music, if you want to dance with somebody. But then again, if it's a slow dance, you need something slow.

My real name was Thomas Jones Woodward, so I dropped the Woodward.