Welsh music legend Sir Tom Jones is set to appear in a new instalment of the BBC’s In My Own Words, a compelling documentary series exploring the lives and careers of some of the UK’s most influential creative minds. The programme, produced by BBC Arts, features a diverse line-up of musicians, authors, comedians, and artists as they reflect on the moments that shaped their paths.
Sir Tom, renowned for chart-topping hits such as It’s Not Unusual and Delilah, will open up about his extraordinary journey from Pontypridd to global stardom. In the film, he revisits pivotal locations from his past, including the very first house he ever owned — a trip which, he says, stirred up a wealth of personal memories.
“Taking the time to look back at some of the extraordinary things that have happened in my life for In My Own Words has been really enjoyable and thought-provoking,” Sir Tom said. “Some of the archive I’d not seen before, and watching snippets of those past times, places, styles and struggles brought home how lucky I am.”
He added: “Being able to spend the day in the first house I ever owned brought back so many memories… I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it.”
Joining Sir Tom in the new series are acclaimed authors Frederick Forsyth and Val McDermid. Forsyth, best known for his gripping political thrillers such as The Day Of The Jackal, The Odessa File and The Dogs Of War, will reflect on his multifaceted career — from being the youngest RAF pilot to his time as a BBC correspondent and secret work with MI6.
“Having spent my career telling other people’s stories, I now find myself in the unusual position of subject rather than storyteller,” Forsyth said. “It has reminded me of the incredible luck I have had, the fork in the road moments, and the deep gratitude I feel for having been part of it.”
Val McDermid, the Scottish crime writer behind the Wire in the Blood novels featuring profiler Dr Tony Hill, will offer insights into the real-life inspirations behind her work. Known for her psychological depth and meticulous detail, McDermid welcomed the opportunity to look back on her life and influences.
“I’m so accustomed to living my life forwards — the next book, the next festival, the next gig, the next holiday — so this opportunity to look back was a welcome change,” she said. “It recalled people and places with an unexpected vividness that I hope communicates itself to the viewers.”
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The series also spotlights celebrated British artists Cornelia Parker and Yinka Shonibare. Parker, famed for her inventive installations, and Shonibare, whose work explores post-colonialism and cultural identity, both share personal reflections and rare archival material.
Shonibare commented: “I found seeing the images of my past life amusing, surprising and emotional. The past is never quite as one imagines it to be.”
Each film in the In My Own Words series combines candid interviews with rare footage and personal archives, painting a vivid portrait of the creative process and the forces that shaped each subject’s career.
Mark Bell, commissioning editor for BBC Arts, said: “In My Own Words shows us the myriad paths that the creative life can follow – from a farming childhood to conceptual art, cold war journalism to blockbuster thriller writing, the Welsh Valleys to superstardom – and the remarkable combination of talent and tenacity that goes into making art.”
The new series is expected to air later this year on BBC Four and iPlayer.
