ALL advance tickets to see Tom Jones at York Racecourse tonight have sold out as the biggest favourite since Frankel takes to the Knavesmire turf.

Sir Tom had to cancel concert appearances at Saint Tropez, France, on Tuesday and near Munich in Germany last night after suffering a respiratory infection, but he Tweeted yesterday afternoon about his York show.

The County Stand and Grandstand & Paddockhave reached capacity and no more tickets will be sold. However, the Course Enclosure (called the Picnic Enclosure by some) in the middle of the racecourse will be open to sales only once gates open at 4pm, so this is the last opportunity to be part of the evening of racing and music.

Scouting For Girls will perform after racing tomorrow in the second concert of the York Racecourse Music Showcase Weekend. Tickets still remain available for this event.

On both music dates, the Course Enclosure will offer an angled view of the stage and views of the racing. The sound system is being improved so it will reach this area. Admission to the Course Enclosure is £10 for adults, £8 for over 65s and free of charge to accompanied under 18s.

This can be purchased only as gates open on each raceday, at 4pm today and 11.15am tomorrow.

 

Sir Tom Jones Fact File, compiled by Matt Clark

Name: Sir Tom Jones

Profession: Singer, sex god and The Voice judge.

Style: Sir Tom is The Voice.

Born: Thomas John Woodward on June 7 1940 at 57, Kingsland Terrace, Treforest, Glamorgan.

Early steps: Sir Tom nearly died of TB aged 12, he became a dad at 16 and worked in a glove factory. At nights he was a regular performer at the Bucket of Blood pub in Pontypridd.

Teething problems: His breakthrough hit in 1965 was It's Not Unusual, but things could have been so different. Sandie Shaw was offered the song, but didn't like it. Give it to Tom, she suggested, after hearing him sing it on a demo recording.

Change of direction: Sir Tom decided to become a Las Vegas club star, That's where the reputation of women throwing knickers at him on stage was sealed at Caeser's Palace. Until 2011 Sir Tom played at least one week in Vegas every year.

Biggest success: Too many to mention.

Landmark live shows: In 1992, he made his first appearance at Glastonbury and a year later he appeared as himself in The Simpsons.

Personal life: Sir Tom's marriage to childhood sweetheart Melinda is one of the most enduring in showbiz, even though he admits, at the height of his womanising, to sleeping with 250 girls a year.

Good pub quiz fact: When Sir Tom moved to the United States in 1974, he bought Dean Martin's mansion in the East Gate Old Bel Air in Los Angeles. He also imported a telephone box for his home from Pontypridd as a souvenir of Wales.

Future plans: To keep singing, what else?

Next show: York Racecourse tonight. First race, 6pm; last race, 8.30pm; then Sir Tom comes under starter's orders.

Tickets update: Sold out, except Course Enclosure on the day from 4pm.

Also playing: Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Wednesday, in his first ever Scarborough concert; supported by The Shires.

Scarborough box office: 0844 844 0444 or 01723 383636.