SIR Tom Jones has spoken about the “tough few months” following the death of his wife, as he prepares to perform again.

The singer, now aged 75, is gearing up for his first concerts since his childhood sweetheart Linda died from cancer in April this year.

When his wife of 59 years passed away, the singer cancelled his Asian tour but has since said that he is “feeling pretty good” and is “getting back in form.”

"It's been a tough few months, losing Linda," he said. "She had emphysema, and we thought that's all it was. But it turned out to be worse than that in the end.

"Singing is what I do. I'm a singer and I love to sing. I have to be strong. I was wondering if I could use that love as a strength, and it was.

"(Linda) wanted me to go on and keep singing, she said not to stop.”

Tom Jones performed in venues across Gwent in the late 1960s and 1970s before rocketing to worldwide fame. Among his appearances was a week’s residence at the Helmaen Club in Usk in January 1974.

He said his partner had kept him "grounded" throughout his glittering career, asking him "who do you think you are, Tom Jones?" when catching him acting "larger than life."

“She kept my feet on the ground," he added. "She was a wonderful, wonderful person.”

His comeback gig will take place at Hampton Court Palace Festival on Wednesday June 8, followed by a full UK tour.