Sir Tom Jones has opened up about his "solid" 58-year marriage to wife Linda, and spoken candidly about her battle with depression. The couple from Pontypridd, who fell in love and became parents at the age of 16, have always been inseparable, but in recent years Linda has become increasingly reclusive.She is now house-bound in their LA residence, has developed emphysema, has had cancer scares and battled depression – not to mention, claims of Tom's affairs over the years. But she remains the "love of his life".
Sir Tom Jones has said his wife of 58-years is still "the love of my life"
"I've realised she's had a depression since she was young," Sir Tom told the Sunday Times Magazine, ahead of the release of his autobiography this week. "She's always had a touch of it. "I don't think she really enjoyed getting out and about, and I think she was happy with being in the house. "He added: "Linda is the love of my life, and she still is, even though she doesn't look like she did. I don't look like I did either, but I try my best. She's lost her spark."But the 75-year-old said when the couple speak to each other on the phone, they have the same chemistry they had as youngsters. "When you're face to face with somebody, you realise that time has gone on, but when you're on the phone, we're both young again," he admitted. "We haven't aged on the phone.
Sir Tom and wife Linda pictured together in 1965
"You're not looking at one another, I'm looking at an old picture I carry around with me and leave by the bed. She says, 'I don't look like that anymore.' I say, 'I know you don't, it brings back wonderful memories.'"When we are on the phone, the whole thing, the depression, leaves her when we talk…. She's an unbelievable woman. She's the most important thing in my life. All the rest is fun and games. "Sir Tom's book, Over The Top And Back: The Autobiography, is released on Thursday 8 October.