Tom Jones’ lovechild Jonathan Berkery BEGS to see his famous father ‘before it’s too late’

He’s the lovechild of Tom Jones who has been busking on the streets and living in a shelter in New Jersey.

And Jonathan Berkery, 30, has now begged his famous father to let him come and see him ‘before it’s too late’, after the music icon was forced to cancel two shows after he was hospitalised with a bacterial infection.

Speaking candidly with The Sunday Mirror, he said of his 78-year-old father: ‘He’s not well, I think he’s pushing himself too much.’

Please: Tom Jones’ homeless son Jonathan Berkery BEGS to see him ‘before it’s too late’ …after the music icon was hospitalised with a bacterial infection

‘I reached out to his son Mark, my half brother, last year to see if I could arrange a meeting.

‘Now I refuse to wait – I want to see my dad and make my peace with him.’ 

Sir Tom took to Twitter on Thursday to explain the situation to his fans after postponing his shows in Stansted Park and Chester Racecourse, writing that he is ‘sorry and disappointed,’ but hopes for a ‘speedy recovery.’

Emotional: The music icon was forced to cancel two shows after he was hospitalised with a bacterial infection, and Jonathan told the Sunday Mirror: 'He's pushing himself too much'

Emotional: The music icon was forced to cancel two shows after he was hospitalised with a bacterial infection, and Jonathan told the Sunday Mirror: ‘He’s pushing himself too much’

On the mend: Sir Tom took to Twitter on Thursday to explain the situation to his fans, writing that he is 'sorry and disappointed,' but hopes for a 'speedy recovery'

On the mend: Sir Tom took to Twitter on Thursday to explain the situation to his fans, writing that he is ‘sorry and disappointed,’ but hopes for a ‘speedy recovery’

The statement said: ‘Sir Tom Jones has a bacterial infection for which he is being treated in hospital. The condition is being well managed and we are hoping for a speedy recovery. 

‘He is extremely sorry and disappointed not to be able to perform tonight, and sincerely apologises for inconveniences caused to the audience and all those who are involved in the event.’ 

Despite his father’s £155 million fortune, Jonathan relies on commuters to drop their spare change into his guitar case, where a makeshift cardboard sign implores: ‘I Need Money (Please Help).’ 

With a busking repertoire that includes Delilah and It’s Not Unusual, he goes by the name ‘Jon Jones’ in tribute to his father.

But Jon – who spends his nights in a homeless shelter in Hoboken and tops up his income with a £5.50-an-hour part-time job stacking shelves – reveals he has never met his famous dad, despite his best efforts to get in touch.

Speaking to The Mail On Sunday in June, he said: ‘I don’t want anything from my dad, just his recognition.

Denial: Sir Tom (pictured) denied he was Jon's father until it was proved by a court-ordered paternity test in 1989

Denial: Sir Tom (pictured) denied he was Jon’s father until it was proved by a court-ordered paternity test in 1989

‘Not having a father growing up was tough. All I ever wanted was his love. People think I look and sound like a younger version of my dad. 

‘I sing all his songs. People stop and stare as soon as I start singing.’

Jon was born after the Welsh superstar enjoyed a three-day fling with Katherine Berkery, then a 24-year-old model, in New York in October 1987.

Sir Tom denied he was Jon’s father until it was proved by a court-ordered paternity test in 1989, and the singer agreed to pay £1,700 a month maintenance for his upkeep until his 18th birthday. 

Jon says: ‘There was never a birthday card, a single Christmas card, a call. I grew up with images of dad all around. But my calls and emails have gone unreturned. He wants nothing to do with me.’

Sir Tom only acknowledged Jon’s existence in 2008, saying: ‘It wasn’t something I planned. I was tricked. I fell for the seduction.’ 

It was a cruel blow for Jon, who says: ‘Those words hurt. It wasn’t my choice to be born. You don’t get to be as famous as my father without being prepared to hurt people along the way.’

Working hard: Jon (pictured) spends his nights in a homeless shelter in Hoboken and tops up his income with a £5.50-an-hour part-time job stacking shelves

Pictured: Tom Jones's secret son Jonathan Berkery

Working hard: Jon spends his nights in a homeless shelter in Hoboken and tops up his income with a £5.50-an-hour part-time job stacking shelves

'Please help': The 29-year-old's guitar case is used to collect money for busking 

‘Please help’: The 29-year-old’s guitar case is used to collect money for busking 

Jon says his father’s rejection led to an angry drink-and-drug-fuelled teenage rebellion and meant he ‘couldn’t form proper relationships with girls’. 

Jon has even considered confronting his dad at one of his concerts or even auditioning for ITV talent show The Voice, where Sir Tom is a mentor.

The irony of his father offering advice to others is not lost on his son, who says: ‘All I want is the chance to sit down with him. I truly don’t want anything from him.’ 

Family ties: Jonathan is pictured as a child with his mother Katherine Berkery 

Family ties: Jonathan is pictured as a child with his mother Katherine Berkery 



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