Sir Tom Jones, 84, opens up on career regret during controversial ITV The Voice finale: ‘I should have!’

Sir Tom Jones lamented missing out on a massive career opportunity following a drink with Sir Paul McCartney during the finale of ITV’s The Voice.

Speaking to eventual winner Ava Mannings, the music legend revealed he “had a story about that song” after her rendition of The Beatles classic The Long and Winding Road.

Mannings, mentored by McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, saw off the likes of Deb Orah, chosen by LeAnn Rimes, Storry, representing Will.i.am, and Jones’ picks Billy and Louie.

Jones appeared reflective after being wowed by Mannings’ take on The Beatles’ last number-one hit and explained his own history with the song.

The Delilah hitmaker explained he had been having a drink with The Beatles star McCartney sometime in the late 1960s when he asked: “Paul, I’d love you to write me a song.”

To his surprise, not only did McCartney agree but the song arrived with him soon after.

“All of a sudden, my recording manager came to the house, and he said, ‘Paul McCartney has sent you the song that he promised to write you’.”

Jones then revealed the song was none other than The Long and Winding Road to the delight of Mannings and cheers from the audience.

However, he admitted he was unable to record it as he was releasing another song at the time.

“But I have always loved that song, and every time I hear anybody do it, I am thinking, ‘Oh my god, I should have recorded that song!” he concluded.

The Beatles went on to release the song themselves to wild success as their last major hit as a band.

Jones was left with a second bittersweet moment on the night as his finalist choices, Billy and Louie, were left runners-up in the competition.

The 84-year-old music legend had previously faced criticism from fans both for his controversial decision to take the Swindon twins to the final over semi-finalists Hollie Peabody and Ace.

On top of this, fans were critical of his song choices for the twins in Saturday’s final.

For their first song, Jones had Billy and Louie deliver their take on A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera’s smash hit, Fall On Me.

Later in the finale, the pop legend joined the pair for a trio performance of the Gospel classic Farther Along.

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Despite concerns, both renditions were hugely popular with the finale’s audience, bringing them to their feet with thunderous applause.

The twins spoke glowingly about their mentor, enthusing: “He’s just the most incredible coach, honestly. We couldn’t ask for somebody better, it’s been amazing.”

Speaking to The Voice host Emma Willis, Jones glowed: “(It’s been) wonderful, you can hear in the way they sing. “And they are lovely, lovely fellas. So, it’s been a pleasure working with both of you and I know you’re going to (shoot upwards) after here.”