Natalie Imbruglia has said she "doesn’t understand" why Sir Tom Jones was removed from The Voice UK.
The 86-year-old singer has worked as an on-off coach on the ITV singing competition since it began in 2012. Following reports suggesting he might not return to the panel for the next series, Sir Tom confirmed his departure after being offered a "much-reduced role".
He has now been supported by Imbruglia, 51, who toured alongside him earlier this year.
Appearing on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Moneybox on Virgin Radio UK on Wednesday, the Australian singer was asked by the host for her thoughts on the decision.
She said: "I was going to post, I haven’t posted yet, but I’m just so sad about that."
Chris Evans then replied: "Well, also, I’m not sad… I’m not going to say I’m angry, but it’s like, I just don’t understand it."
"I don’t understand it," Imbruglia said.
Alluding to Sir Tom’s Instagram post addressing his departure from The Voice, Imbruglia said she felt it was "quite punk rock that he posted it".
However, Evans went on to share: "Well, I was with him last Saturday at Carfest and he’d just watched The Voice, the latest episode of The Voice, because they had a film on about him and he couldn’t wait to see it, and he was really, really excited. So clearly he had no idea then that it was going to happen."
In his Instagram statement, Sir Tom wrote: "To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision – obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.
"The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to ‘refresh’ the show, and with a new coaching line-up, there wouldn’t be a chair for me. They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that."
He added: "So the only thing I know right now, is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job."
A show spokesperson said: "We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK.
"While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series."
Speculation recently emerged that the musician – famous for 1960s tracks like “It’s Not Unusual” and “What’s New, Pussycat?” – would be "dropped" ahead of the 2027 series, which is scheduled to start production shortly.
In the show's most recent series, Sir Tom featured on the coaching panel alongside McFly members Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, American artist Will.i.am and Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.
He has coached three winners on the talent search: Leanne Mitchell in series one, Ruti Olajugbagbe in series seven, and Anthonia Edwards in series 11.
The Voice originally launched on BBC One in 2012, before ITV picked up the format for its sixth series.
Sir Tom previously departed ahead of the fifth series in 2016, condemning the BBC’s "sub-standard behaviour" after being dropped from the line-up with only 24 hours' notice.
The Welsh performer has sold over 100 million records across his career. He has scored three UK number one singles, collected two Brit Awards, and received an OBE in 1998.
The Press Association has contacted ITV for comment.
