Sir Tom Jones's hit song Delilah BANNED at Welsh rugby national stadium in woke row over 'problematic' lyrics

Sir Tom Jones's hit song Delilah BANNED at Welsh rugby national stadium in woke row over 'problematic' lyrics
Headliners Delilah
Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 02/02/2023

- 15:30

Updated: 02/02/2023

- 23:03

The song's 'problematic' lyrics have resulted in a banning order

The Sir tom Jones classic Delilah will no longer be performed by choirs at Principality Stadium international rugby matches following a banning order.

The song was removed from half-time playlists in 2015 and choirs will now no longer be allowed to perform it.


Lyrics described as "problematic" depict the murder of a woman by her jealous partner have resulted in the decision.

A stadium spokesman said it was “respectfully aware” of the controversy surrounding the music number.

The son, however, has been a popular one for Welsh national team supporters and Jones has previously performed the song himself ahead of an international match.

The decision follows a week mired in controversy for the Welsh Rugby Union, after its chief executive, Steve Phillips, was forced to resign following allegations of sexism, misogyny and racism within the organisation.

With no reference to the decision, Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit said on Twitter: “All the things they need to do and they do that first…”

A Principality spokesman said: “Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium.

Delilah will no longer be performed by choirs at the Principality Stadium for international rugby matches
Delilah will no longer be performed by choirs at the Principality Stadium for international rugby matches
Nigel French

"Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.

"The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind.

"We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter."

Some have criticised the decision, including Welsh Conservative shadow sport minister Tom Giffard who said the decision is “wrongheaded”.

"One that amounts to simple virtue signalling, designed to ease the pressure the WRU are currently under," he said. "Calls to ban the song span at least the last decade, yet the WRU have chosen now to act.

Giffard said people want "institutional change, improved working practices and a better complaints process for the WRU".

"Instead they are choosing to ban a much loved Tom Jones song. This action will solve nothing."

It comes after Welsh Rugby Union chiefs admitted to being “in denial” over the extent of sexism and misogyny in the organisation, saying warning signs were missed.

The Welsh Rugby Union has been embroiled in controversy over the extent of sexism and misogyny in the organisation
The Welsh Rugby Union has been embroiled in controversy over the extent of sexism and misogyny in the organisation
Jacob King

Chairman Ieuan Evans and acting chief executive Nigel Walker appeared before the Senedd’s Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee on Thursday.

Following Steve Phillips’ resignation, Evans and Walker apologised to members and said they accepted there was a problem in the culture of the WRU and were committed to implementing all of the recommendations made by the taskforce.

The name of the chair and the scope of the review is to published this week, Walker said. He revealed the independent chair is a woman who has worked in the judiciary.

Asked if WRU staff members who had been made to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) would be allowed to give evidence as witnesses to the review, Walker said he would “look to facilitate it to make sure they can be interviewed”.

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