To the public, they were icons of their era – velvet-voiced crooners with matching suits, thick hair, and adoring fans. But behind the curtain, Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones haven’t spoken in over 40 years – and the reason? A woman.
The feud reportedly began in the late 1970s when Engelbert was accused of flirting with Tom’s ex-girlfriend, Charlotte Laws. Even though the relationship didn’t go anywhere, Tom felt it was a deep betrayal. He once said bluntly on TV:
“I don’t like him. To me, he’s just a pk.”
From that point on, the silent war began. Tom refused all collaborations, refused to be photographed with Engelbert, while Engelbert would simply smile or dodge when asked about “Tom.”
In 2009, Engelbert tried to break the ice, saying:
“We were good friends once. I’d be open to a duet if he is.”
But Tom responded with… silence.
Then in 2023, things escalated again. When a reporter asked Tom if he’d ever sing with Engelbert, he replied:
“He’s still alive? I thought he… never mind.”
The comment went viral, and fans from both camps reignited the long-standing debate.
Engelbert, ever the gentleman, fired back softly:
“I still sing every night. And I don’t need to shout to be noticed.”
This wasn’t just a petty feud. It was a cold war of pride, hurt, and history. Both men are now in their twilight years, yet neither has budged.
Tom’s ex-girlfriend, Charlotte Laws
And perhaps the greatest loss isn’t the feud itself — but the fact that two greats of romantic music could’ve shared the stage… but never will.