The Voice 2015: Sir Tom Jones finally receives apology from BBC after being axed

Sir Tom Jones has finally received an apology from the BBC after being axed from The Voice earier this month.

Director of Television Danny Cohen has expressed his regret over the way the music legend was fired and has promised to have him back on the BBC ‘later this year’.

Speaking to The Mirror, Cohen said: “I’ve got huge respect for Tom and I’m truly sorry he’s upset, really sorry.

“I’m a big fan of his, I think he’s a gentleman and an extraordinary figure in music and you’ll have seen the huge respect all the artists on The Voice have had for him throughout.”

He added: “These things happen over time but I never would have wanted Tom to be upset and I’m sorry that is the case.

“I’d like to have him back on the BBC this year, in something else. Absolutely. I hope he’s back on the BBC very soon, I really do.”

Sir Tom blasted producers of the show on Facebook after he found out that he’d been axed just one day before it was announced to the public.

He wrote: “About The Voice UK: 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.

“I’ve supported the show and the BBC since the beginning. I was told yesterday, with no consultation or conversation of any kind, that I would not be returning.”

Boy George and Paloma Faith will be joining Ricky Wilson and will.i.am on this year’s panel.