Sir Tom Jones exposes sexual abuse in music industry
The Voice UK's Sir Tom Jones has opened up about sexual abuse in the music industry, as well as the "terrible" experience which he had at the start of his career.
The legendary singer was appearing at the show's launch in Manchester and was asked if the same sexual misconduct which the Harvey Weinstein scandal has brought to light, happens in the music industry too
Speaking to the BBC, he said: "Things have always happened in the music industry as well.
"There's been people complaining about publicists and different things they've been expected to do to get a record contract, just like a film contract."
He later explained that this is something he'd faced himself at the start of his career, he said: "Yes. At the beginning, yes.
"There were a few things like that. But you avoid it. You just walk out... But what's tried on women is tried on men as well.
"But then again, it's not much though. It was just once, really."
He explained that it made him feel "terrible" and "then you think I've got to get away from this person and it can't be like this".
"There's always been that element there, that people with power sometimes abuse it," he noted.
His comments come in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal which has seen numerous actresses speak out about sexual misconduct from the producer, including Game of Thrones' Lena Headey, Rose McGowan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, Ashley Judd, Kate Beckinsale, Lea Seydoux and others. He has "unequivocally denied" any allegations of non-consensual sex.
Meanwhile, Channing Tatum announced that he's cancelling his latest movie, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock and severing ties with The Weinstein Company following the allegations.
The hashtag #MeToo also began to trend in recent days as scores of women shared their own experiences of sexual abuse and harassment.
In other news, Tom's fellow judge from The Voice, Olly Murs, told Digital Spy that Simon Cowell hasn't spoken to him since he took the job with X Factor's rival show.
will.i.am addressed criticism of the show that it's previously failed to produce successful popstars and promised that this year they have "artists" not just "singers".
The Voice UK returns to ITV in 2018, hosted by Emma Willis.
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