Natalie Imbruglia ‘doesn’t understand’ Sir Tom Jones sacking from The Voice

The singer, 86, has served as an on-off coach on the ITV singing series since it launched in 2012.However, following rumours that he may not be returning to the panel for the upcoming series, Sir Tom confirmed he had left the show after being offered a “much-reduced role”.Natalie Imbruglia has defended Sir Tom Jones after he was sacked from The Voice UK (Ian West/PA)PA ArchiveHe has now been backed by Imbruglia, 51, who supported him on tour earlier this year.Speaking on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Moneybox on Virgin Radio UK on Wednesday, the Australian singer was asked by the host about the move.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.Referencing Sir Tom’s Instagram post addressing his exit from The Voice, Imbruglia said she thought it was “quite punk rock that he posted it”.Sir Tom confirmed this week he had left the series – which he first joined in 2012 (Jonathan Brady/PA)PA ArchiveHowever, 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.”Read MoreSpeculation recently emerged that the star – famed for 1960s classics such as It’s Not Unusual and What’s New, Pussycat? – would be “dropped” ahead of the 2027 series, which is due to begin production shortly.In the latest series of the show, Sir Tom appeared on the panel alongside McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, US rapper Will.i.am and Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.He has mentored three champions on the show: Leanne Mitchell in series one, Ruti Olajugbagbe in series seven, and Anthonia Edwards in series 11.The Voice debuted on BBC One in 2012, with ITV acquiring the rights for the sixth series.Sir Tom previously left before the fifth series in 2016 and criticised the BBC’s “sub-standard behaviour” for axing him from the show with just a 24-hour warning.The Welsh singer has sold more than 100 million records during his career.He has had three UK number one singles, won two Brit Awards and was made an OBE in 1998.The Press Association has contacted ITV for comment.