Tom Jones Is Getting His DNA Tested To See If He Has ‘Black Ancestors’
Sir Tom Jones has revealed that he wants to get his DNA tested to find out if he has any black ancestors, with the music legend admitting that he has “always wondered” if he is mixed race.
The 75-year-old is keen to get the test done in the near future so that he can gain a better understanding of his heritage.
You must log in or register to see images
[Copyright: Rex]
Speaking to Times magazine, the star explained: “A lot of people still think I’m black. When I first came to America, people who had heard me sing on the radio would be surprised that I was white when they saw me.
“Because of my hair, a lot of black people still tell me that I’m just passing as white.”
You must log in or register to see images
When Tom’s mother, Freda, who is of Welsh and English descent, gave birth to him doctors reportedly asked her if she had any “black blood” after she developed dark patches of skin following her labour.
Tom clarified: “When I was born, my mother came out in big dark patches all over her body.
“They [the doctors and midwives] asked if she had any black blood and she said she didn’t know. I’m going to get my DNA tested.
You must log in or register to see images
I remember seeing some Louis Theroux thing in America once, about race groups there. They did the usual KKK, white-supremacist nutters, but they also showed this black group whose leader was convinced that Sir Tom was black by virtue of the fact that no white man could sing that good (and he was serious). Then again, he reckoned Elizabeth I was black as he had an etching of her that was a bit like a reverse-negative photo.
Otis really rated him too. Could there be any higher, cooler praise?

