The One and Only - No throwing knickers at Tom Jones

31 January 2008 - He may sound like Tom Jones but tribute act Simon Abbotts won't be surrounded by underwear during his performance this week.

Simon is set to appear in the forthcoming episode of The One and Only and his family planned to mimic Jones' fans by throwing knickers at him while on stage.

According to the Sun, 42-year-old Simon has been very popular with audiences so far thanks to his Welsh-styled warbling.

But health and safety rules mean he cannot go the whole hog and be the target of many undergarments, because BBC chiefs fear he will trip over them and hurt himself.

"We were a bit disappointed," his mum Val told the newspaper. "For as long as he's been impersonating Tom, Simon's never once slipped up on any stray item of underwear."

According to the tribute star's official website, his act comes complete with "leather trousers and plenty of bling, just like the legend himself".

The real Tom Jones was knighted in 2006 thanks to a career packed full of hits. These include It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat? and the classic Delilah.
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