Sir Tom Jones has revealed he did not perform at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebration after a barney with Dame Shirley Bassey.
He says he was asked to join the BBC concert at Buckingham Palace but his slot fell through after his fellow Welsh singer refused to duet with him.
Sir Tom, 82 – who once performed with Dame Shirley, 85, on his TV variety series in 1970 – told how she was going to be his surprise guest in June.
But he said the Goldfinger singer had other ideas, adding: "Shirley said, 'If I don't get my own spot I am not going to do it'. It is fair enough.
"I thought it was a good idea. She would be the surprise guest and I would've said, 'Here is Dame Shirley Bassey to help me with the next song'.
"Then I would do mine and then we would do a duet. Which is fair enough but if she could not do that then she did not want to do it."
In the end neither singer performed. Sir Tom said that was also down to him being asked to "run up and down a ramp" while singing Sweet Caroline because he is awaiting a hip replacement.
He added: " Rod Stewart ended up doing it. It was all very much up in the air so Rod said, 'I will do it'."
Sir Tom will be back on our screens as The Voice UK returns to ITV on Saturday.
He said he had postponed his hip surgery until October 28 so he could finish his US tour Surrounded by Time and not upset fans.
Sir Tom said: "I have got to have a new hip. I had this one done [left] five years ago and it works great, so now this one is starting to go." He does not take painkillers but now has a walking stick.
Sir Tom added: "I am all right for four songs and then it starts to hurt and I sit on a stool. I am as dedicated as the Queen. I have got to be steadfast."
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The Voice UK will go head-to-head with Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1 later this month.
But Olly Murs, a coach like Sir Tom on the singing show, is not focusing on the ratings battle.
He said: "I think Strictly is an incredible show. They are different - we know Strictly is huge so we are not even trying to compete"
Olly, 38, said he would be on hand to help Sir Tom once he gets his new hip as he lives close by. The Essex star added: "I live down the road from Tom. If he needs me, I am there."
Dame Shirley was contacted for comment.
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