Tom Jones to headline Belladrum Festival

Tom Jones will headline Belladrum Festival, taking place in August. Picture: Contributed

The veteran crooner, who is currently starring in the BBC’s hit TV talent show The Voice, will close the opening day of the Belladrum Festival in August.

He will be appearing at the event - which is held on the Belladrum Estate, near Beauly - three years after making a crowd-pleasing appearance at T in the Park.

Festival director Joe Gibbs - who confirmed the other headliner will be indie rock group Razorlight - described Sir Tom, who will be 74 when he appears at Belladrum, as a long-time personal “hero.”

He added: “It is a singular privilege to be able to welcome him to a Highland stage.”

Sir Tom’s appearance will be a huge boost to the Highlands, which is still reeling from the cancellation of the Rockness festival, which was confirmed last week.

Belladrum has been a complete sell-out for the last five years and ticket sales are already said to be running ahead of last year, with all campervan and caravan spaces already snapped up.

Other acts confirmed today by organisers include rising Scottish rockers Frightened Rabbit, folk-punk icon Billy Bragg, comedian-turned-musical Adrian Emdmondson, star of The Young Ones, who will be appearing with his folk band The Bad Shepherds and ska outfit Esperenza, who survived the Clutha helicopter tragedy. Also in the line-up will be The Mekons, Casual Sex, Randolph’s Leap and The Temperance Movement.

Belladrum headliners in previous years have included The Proclaimers, Alabama 3, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Waterboys, Travis and James.