Now that’s unusual - two Toms appearing on coast

It’s not unusual for Tom Jones tribute act Andy Wood to appear on the Fylde coast - but he has to admit it’s a little strange to be here so close to the real Sir Tom headlining on the green, green grass of Lytham.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Jul 2014, 11:00 GMT
The Voice... Andy Wood looks and sounds like the real Tom Jones, and they are both performing on the FyldeThe Voice... Andy Wood looks and sounds like the real Tom Jones, and they are both performing on the Fylde
The Voice... Andy Wood looks and sounds like the real Tom Jones, and they are both performing on the Fylde

Andy is appearing in the Legends line-up at Sands Venue until tomorrow, with the real voice from the Valleys making his Lytham Proms debut on Saturday.

Although these days best known for his tribute to Sir Tom, Andy first came into the spotlight after a 1994 appearance on Stars In Their Eyes – as American star Michael Bolton.

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But he’s actually a bit of a one-man Legends show, able to turn his talents to David Bowie, Macy Gray and Rod Stewart and three years ago was featured in the long-running Blackpool summer season show as rocker Jon Bon Jovi.

“Sir Tom is my favourite, though,” says the North Lincolnshire-based entertainer. “He’s actually a little easier than some of the others and I’ve always featured an impression of him in my act.”

He has even met the man himself.

“In 1996 I worked in the main show at Sun City in South Africa. Sir Tom did a full weekend of shows and I met him on the last night in the Loft Bar at the venue and he jammed with everyone.

“He was a really nice and natural chap.”

Having been an entertainer for 25 years Andy says he finds it relatively simple to slip into Sir Tom’s shoes these days.

“I’m 52 now so I’m growing into it all the time!” he says.

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His favourite song from the TJ repertoire is Till, his favourite all time Legend is Elvis Presley and his first choice of career was football!

“When I left school I started playing football from professional to semi-pro until 1990 but became a full time performer after the Stars In Their Eyes appearance and have done tributes ever since.”

Even so there’s a part of him that still hankers after recognition in his own right.

“I do write and perform original material and sometimes wish I could break free from performing as someone else – but there’s plenty of time left for that,” says Andy, whose tribute work has taken him around the world, with many TV and corporate appearances along the way.

But for now he is more than happy blazing a trail for the real Sir Tom with his latest Legends shows.

Related topics:Tom JonesAndy WoodLythamFyldeJon Bon JoviLegends