Sir Tom: My Voice role is tough

Sir Tom Jones has admitted he's finding it "difficult" to dash the dreams of young stars competing on The Voice.

The veteran star said he also worried about the public reaction when he sends acts home.

Last week he chose to save folk duo Matt and Sueleen, both 34, meaning he had to send home devastated 20-year-old Sam Buttery, who said: "I feel like my heart's been ripped out."

Sir Tom said: "The most difficult thing for me is to have to tell people that they have to leave which I've never had to do in my life before. It's started with the battles when I had to put people head to head and explain to them 'you can't all win'.

"And that's difficult because I know what it's like, and that's what we have in common the four coaches, we are all performers. We've all been on the stage and we know what it's like to feel when you get a knockback, when you don't go through."

He added: "There's so many good singers on this show but that's the difficult part for me, to tell people they can't go any further with it."

And speaking backstage at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards where he presented a gong to Kate Bush, Sir Tom revealed he would "gladly" team up with the reclusive star.

Meanwhile, the winner and seven finalists from The Voice will embark on an arena tour. Promoters have announced an 11-date jaunt around the UK beginning in September.

The eight acts kick off their tour at Bournemouth, International Centre on September 12, winding up at Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena later that month. The tour will also visit Cardiff, London, Brighton, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester.

Tickets will go on sale generally on Friday from www.livenation.co.uk.