BBC bosses are facing a mutiny by outraged viewers of The Voice after it emerged Sir Tom Jones had been axed from the show’s line-up.
It was revealed on Friday that the Welsh crooner – a coach on the show since its first season in 2012 – would not appear on the upcoming fifth season.
His replacement is Boy George, while Rita Ora’s space on the panel will be taken by Paloma Faith.
The news was met with derision from loyal fans of the series, who took to Twitter in their droves to decry producers’ decision to remove the 75-year-old legend.
One wrote: ‘Absolutely disgraceful treatment of a legend to just drop him. BBC you should be ashamed!!’
Another added: ‘Yet another massive gaff by the BBC in dropping from The Voice. Finger on the pulse of public opinion? I don’t think so.’
One tweeter simply wrote: ‘ Tom Jones not in The Voice anymore… No reason to watch it then.’
The anger surrounding the axing was heightened after Sir Tom took to social media himself to slam bosses’ behaviour, revealing the decision had been made ‘with no consultation or conversation of any kind’.
He posted on Facebook: ‘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.
‘Having been through plenty of transformations throughout the years, I support and admire creative change.
‘But being informed, as a matter of duty and respect, is an important part of creative relationships. This sub-standard behaviour from the executives is very disappointing.
‘I will always admire the courage of the performers who participate in the show, as well as all the production staff who worked tirelessly to make a great family viewing experience for the audience at home. I wish the show well.’
Meanwhile, BBC bosses have released a statement in a bid to defend the move, insisting Tom was only told about the decision to drop him at the last minute in a bid to keep the new coaches a secret.
A spokesperson said: ‘The final decision on the coaches’ line-up for series 5 of The Voice was only taken on Wednesday and Tom’s team was informed early yesterday morning.
‘We then announced it to the press so that it didn’t leak. This has been the same every year and no role was ever promised.’
Sir Tom, who just last month said he was looking forward to being back on the show, is the oldest judge to have worked on the programme and was popular with many contestants who valued his experience.
He mentored Leanne Mitchell to victory in the first series. He has sold more than 100million records and topped the charts around the globe with hits such as Green, Green Grass of Home, Delilah and Sex Bomb.
A source close to the show said that Sir Tom had asked BBC bosses for a significant rise on his reported £500,000 a year contract.
A BBC spokesman would not confirm if such a request had been made but denied money played any part in the decision to axe the respected singer.
Former Culture Club singer Boy George is known for his eccentric dress sense and love of make-up. He has talked openly about his battles with drug and drink addiction and also his brushes with the law.
In 2009 he was sentenced to 15 months in jail for falsely imprisoning a male escort by handcuffing him to a wall and beating him with a metal chain. In 2006 he was sentenced to community service in New York after cocaine was found in his Manhattan apartment.
Rocker Ricky Wilson and rapper and producer will.i.am are both returning as judges.
BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore said she would like to ‘personally thank Sir Tom Jones for his dedication and commitment to the last four series’.
The BBC claim the panel is regularly refreshed to maximise the audience’s enjoyment. A spokesman also pointed out that Sir Tom was not fired, as each contract only lasts one season and the singer was simply not given a new one.