Bye, bye, bye Delilah: Wales rugby choirs banned from singing Tom Jones hit



Delilah has proved a favourite with Wales lovers astatine the Principality Stadium. Photograph: James Marsh/ShutterstockDelilah has proved a favourite with Wales enthusiasts connected the Principality Stadium. Photograph: James Marsh/ShutterstockAndy MartinWed 1 Feb 2023 10.31 ESTLast modified connected Wed 1 Feb 2023 12.42 EST

The Welsh Rugby Union has ordered the 1968 Sir Tom Jones deed Delilah to beryllium eliminated from its Principality Stadium choirs’ euphony database connected the eve of the 2023 Six Nations.

The popular way astir a jealous person stabbing his untrue paramour has been lustily sung by means of Welsh fans and turn to beryllium immoderate happening of an accidental wearing anthem.

But with the WRU reeling from allegations of a “poisonous” contented and misogyny the governing framework has replied to claims that it promotes unit against girls by mode of banning it. The opus includes the lyric: “She stood determination guffawing/I felt the weapon successful my manus and she oregon helium laughed nary extra.”

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A Principality Stadium spokesperson said: “Delilah volition nary longer diagnostic connected the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals astatine Principality Stadium.

“The WRU removed the tune from its 1/2-time enjoyment and opus playlist each done planetary suits successful 2015. Guest choirs person besides much precocious been asked nary longer to relation the tune astatine immoderate constituent of their pre-healthy performances and astatine immoderate constituent of video games.

“The WRU condemns location unit of immoderate type. We person antecedently sought proposal from occupation beryllium professionals connected the contented of censoring the opus and we're respectfully alert that it is analyzable and frightening to a fewer supporters owed to its taxable remember.”

Delilah, written by mode of Barry Mason and with euphony done Les Reed, changed into released successful 1967 and sung by Jones. The worldwide deed went straight to triumph a coveted 1968 Ivor Novello award, peaking astatine No 2 wrong the UK charts successful March of that year. Along with each different of Sir Tom’s 60s hits, the Green, Green Grass of Home, it has been a supporters’ favored wrong the pre-fit rituals of Welsh internationals down the years.

The prohibition is bound to rise hackles among the sport’s fans wrong the principality and accusation of the RFU’s enactment added a caustic effect from 1 Wales worldwide, Louis Rees-Zammit. The 21-yr-antique helping published connected Twitter: “All the matters they request to bash and that they bash that archetypal …”

The performing Welsh Rugby Union person government, Nigel Walker, has warned the aboriginal of the crippled successful Wales is astatine involvement implicit the allegations of misogyny, sexism, racism and homophobia that person rocked the enterprise.

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Allegations of a “poisonous subculture” astatine the WRU were aired in a tv documentary closing week, ensuing successful the resation of the main government, Steve Phillips, connected Sunday. An autarkic taskforce is to beryllium installation to code the allegations, with Sport Wales – a Welsh government-funded framework – advising astatine the marque up and remit of the panel.

The Six Nations starts offevolved successful Cardiff connected Saturday erstwhile Warren Gatland’s Wales facet big Ireland. Wales besides look England astatine the Principality Stadium this year.