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| BBC's Danny Cohen has apologised to Sir Tom Jones |
The Welsh crooner was given the boot from the popular singing contest with "no warning," according to the man himself and later vented his frustration in a lengthy open letter.
Tom, 75, served as a judge for four series but will be replaced by Culture Club singer Boy George for the fifth.
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| Sir Tom was axed form the singing show two weeks ago |
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| The stars of The Voice |
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| Paloma Faith and Boy George are the new additions to the panel |
"I've got huge respect for Tom and I'm truly sorry he's upset, because I am a big fan of his," said BBC's director of television Danny Cohen.
"I think he's a gentleman, I think he's an extraordinary figure in music and you'll have seen the huge respect that all of the artists have had for him on The Voice throughout."
Yet, Danny admitted he was excited about the revamped panel which will consist of Boy George and fellow newcomer Paloma Faith along with returning coaches Will.i.am and Kaiser Chief Ricky Wilson when the show makes a comeback in the new year.
Sir Tom slammed producers of The Voice in an angry post on his Facebook page. He explained to fans: "I was told yesterday, with no consultation or conversation of any kind, that I would not be returning.
"In good faith, as part of the team, I'd put the time in my schedule to be involved in series five, as I've done for the last four years."
The BBC's response, which was alarmingly unapologetic, insisted that "no role was ever promised" for the series to Sir Tom.
Danny Cohen later explained: "These things happen over time, but I would never would want Tom to be upset and I am sorry that's the case."
Discussing if he thought the It's Not Unusual hit maker could return to the series at a later date, he said: "I'd like him to go out on the BBC this year in something else... I hope he's back on the BBC very soon, I really do."
The Voice will return to BBC One in January 2016.
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