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Tom Jones is on course to knock Eminem off the top spot in the UK charts this Sunday with his 40th studio album, 'Praise & Blame.' If he achieves this feat, the Welsh singer will set a new record as the oldest male solo artist with a number one album.

Topping the midweek charts is already some vindication for Jones, who has taken a different approach to his current release. As reported in Spinner, the Pontypridd knickers magnet has opted for a spiritual collection of gospel-influenced tunes, rather than his usual strident pop.

Controversy arose when a vice president at his label Island Records criticised this direction in a supposedly leaked email, though experts have since suggested this was a PR stunt. Speaking to The Guardian newspaper, Jones agreed, saying, "It sounds like it, it could have been. Why would anyone say that about wanting their money back? I just don't understand it."