Sir Tom Jones says joining The Voice was "a gamble" - as he didn't want his participation to "expose [himself] that much".
The Welsh singer stars as a judge and mentor on the UK version of the hit TV talent show, alongside will.i.am, Jessie J and The Script's Danny O'Donoghue.
Tom was initially wary of signing up to the series in case it damaged his reputation.
"Doing The Voice was a gamble. When I was offered it, I thought, do I expose myself that much because then people will start having opinions about me?" he mused in an interview with UK newspaper The Daily Mail.
"In the past, the only decisions I have had to make were to do with my career. Now I have got to make decisions on the future of other people and that’s been difficult. I know what it feels like because I’ve been there. They’re doing the best they can and then someone says, 'I am sorry, but?…'"
Tom recently celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary with his wife Linda. The 71-year-old star has revealed how he successfully balances his work and personal lives.
"Love is the main thing. But it is not like the love when you are passionate teenagers. We grew up together, come from the same place, have the same sense of humour. That has a lot to do with it. How do you walk away from somebody that you get along so well with? What’s the point?" he said.
"And we do still have a lot of laughs together. The first thing my wife asks me when I get home is: 'Have you heard any good jokes lately?'"
