**Sir Tom Jones Among Creative Icons to Star in New BBC Series Exploring Lives and Legacies**
The BBC is set to unveil a captivating new documentary series titled *In My Own Words*, offering unprecedented access into the personal histories of some of the United Kingdom’s most revered creative figures. Featuring an impressive line-up, the series is poised to draw viewers into the intimate stories behind the successes and challenges of national treasures.
At the forefront of the new series stands legendary Welsh singer Sir Tom Jones, famed for timeless tracks such as *It’s Not Unusual* and *Delilah*. Audiences will join Jones as he revisits several formative places from his life—including, notably, the very first house he ever purchased. Reflecting on the process, Sir Tom described the experience of participating in the series as both “really enjoyable and thought-provoking,” noting that some of the archival footage was new even to him and stirred memories of “past times, places, styles and struggles.”
Jones spoke warmly of his return to the house that marked the beginnings of his home-owning journey, sharing that the day “brought back so many memories.” He hopes that viewers will find the programme as engaging as he did making it. While he is best recognised for a singing career spanning decades and continents, the show promises to unearth lesser-told stories behind the music, examining the influences that forged his enduring appeal.
The programme has also secured the participation of esteemed novelist and journalist Frederick Forsyth. Known globally for his gripping thrillers such as *The Day of the Jackal*, *The Odessa File*, and *The Dogs of War*, Forsyth’s episode will take audiences on a journey from his youthful days as the RAF’s youngest pilot through to his time as a foreign correspondent, BBC reporter, and even his role as an MI6 informant. Forsyth admitted that appearing as a subject in such a documentary was a departure from his usual role as storyteller, remarking that it had prompted him to reflect on the “incredible luck” and crucial turning points that defined his career.
Not to be outdone, acclaimed Scottish author Val McDermid, best known for her psychological thrillers featuring criminal profiler Dr Tony Hill, opens up in her episode about the real-life inspirations that seep into her fiction. McDermid welcomed the change of pace, saying that it gave her the chance to reconnect with people and places from her past, sparking “unexpectedly vivid” recollections she plans to share with viewers.
Visual artists also form a significant part of the series’ diverse creative tapestry. The line-up boasts Cornelia Parker, celebrated for her provocative installations, and Yinka Shonibare, whose works meditate on the complexities of cultural identity. Shonibare described his look back through personal archives as “amusing, surprising and emotional,” acknowledging that “the past is never quite as one imagines it to be.”
*In My Own Words* promises not just biography but an exploration of what drives creative brilliance. Each episode—essentially a stand-alone documentary—blends reflective interviews, personal testimony, and rare archival footage to construct a layered portrait of its subject.
BBC Arts commissioning editor Mark Bell highlighted the breadth of experience across the featured creatives. He 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.”
With such an eclectic cast and a mission to probe the circumstances, ingenuity, and serendipity behind their illustrious careers, the series sets out to inspire as much as it informs. As the BBC continues its commitment to the arts, this series stands as a testament to creativity in all its forms, promising audiences a compelling new way to look at some of Britain’s most recognisable and influential figures.