Tom Jones Hospitalized: Was It Really a Heart Scare?

Despite some reports indicating ticker trouble, iconic pop star said to be suffering from severe dehydration, cancels show

By Marianne Garvey Aug 29, 2011 2:25 PMTags
Tom JonesDimitri Hakke/Redferns

What's new, Pussycat? How about Tom Jones in a hospital gown.

The iconic singer landed in a Monte Carlo hospital Saturday after a health scare that forced him to cancel a show that night.

Despite initial reports that the 71-year-old "It's Not Unusual" crooner had suffered some kind of heart ailment, his rep insists to the the BBC that the Welshman was checked out by doctors and is malady was far less serious.

He was suffering from severe hydration, according to his spokesman, saying Jones had performed several recent festival shows in the "throes of high summer heat" (and not just from the panty-tossing audience members) and had suffered ill effects.

"Sir Tom was ordered by doctors not to perform in Monte Carlo yesterday evening, due to severe dehydration," the publicist said. "There are no heart problems, as has been reported in the press."

After spending the night Saturday at the Princess Grace Hospital, Jones is said to be doing well.

His Saturday night show was set to be the last of a three-month tour. 

Jones has been dogged by rumors of poor health in recent months after dropping more than 30 pounds, but he credits his skinnier bod to a strict diet and cutting out booze.

In other words, it's not unusual.