**Sir Tom Jones Among Creative Luminaries to Star in Upcoming BBC Series ‘In My Own Words’**
Welsh music legend Sir Tom Jones is one of several prominent British creatives set to appear in the forthcoming BBC Arts documentary series, “In My Own Words.” The programme promises an intimate exploration into the lives and careers of some of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated minds, including musicians, authors, comedians, and visual artists.
Presented as a collection of standalone episodes, each instalment of the series intends to offer viewers a candid self-portrait of a featured creative. Through personal reflections, archived materials, and previously unseen footage, “In My Own Words” will provide unique insights into the experiences, motivations, and defining moments that have shaped these influential figures.
For Sir Tom Jones, best known for classics such as “It’s Not Unusual” and “Delilah,” the documentary segment presents an opportunity to revisit key locations from his past, including his very first home purchase. Reflecting on the experience, Sir Tom remarked, “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. Some of the archive I’d not seen before – watching those snippets of past times, places, styles and struggles brought home how lucky I am.”
Sir Tom’s journey, from the valleys of South Wales to global superstardom, is well documented, but the emotional resonance of returning to these milestones is palpable. 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.” Such personal engagement is at the heart of the series’ appeal, offering audiences not just a chronology of achievements, but a genuine sense of the person behind the public persona.
Among the other contributors is thriller author Frederick Forsyth, famed for gripping novels such as “The Day of the Jackal” and “The Odessa File.” The programme captures the breadth of Forsyth’s career, from his days as the youngest pilot in the Royal Air Force, to his work as a foreign correspondent, BBC reporter and covert informant for MI6. Forsyth shared, “Having spent my career telling other people’s stories, I now find myself in the unusual position of subject rather than storyteller. 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.”
Crime writer Val McDermid, whose novels have enthralled millions, will also feature. The Scottish author reveals details about the incidents and individuals that have inspired her popular character, psychological profiler Dr Tony Hill. “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,” McDermid admitted. “It recalled people and places with an unexpected vividness that I hope communicates itself to the viewers.”
The arts are further represented by Cornelia Parker, renowned for her inventive installations, and Yinka Shonibare, an artist acclaimed for his explorations of cultural identity. Shonibare reflected on his experience, stating: “I found seeing the images of my past life amusing, surprising and emotional. The past is never quite as one imagines it to be.”
BBC Arts commissioning editor Mark Bell emphasised the breadth and richness of the series: “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 forthcoming series is shaping up to be an evocative exploration of the creative spirit, offering both long-standing admirers and new viewers the chance to connect with the personal journeys of these cultural icons. As Sir Tom Jones and his peers open up about their struggles, triumphs and sources of inspiration, audiences can expect a rare glimpse into the machinery of creativity at its most honest and human.
Details regarding screening dates will be available soon, with anticipation already mounting for this unique documentary event that promises to shed new light on the artists and entertainers who have helped shape British culture.