Sir Tom Jones still hasn't listened to Leanne Mitchell's album.
'The Voice' coach might have mentored the singer to victory on the BBC One competition last year, but he hasn't yet given her self-titled debut record a listen and is worried Universal might have rushed its release.
Tom told The Sun newspaper: "I've got the album and haven't listened to it yet. But I've heard the new single, 'If I Knew Then', and I think she's done a great job on it.
"Like everybody does, she needed time to live with the music then put it out. So I don't think the timing worked on her first single. It was rushed and the record company didn't take enough time with her. So hopefully now that they have taken time it will work."
The 72-year-old icon also revealed he believes he isn't to blame for her album charting at 134th, and selling fewer than 1,000 copies since its release last month.
Tom added: "Whoever wins, they are then with the record company and management agency, so there's not a lot I can do after that - she's been taken over.
"You sign on for the whole package. But I think you can't push something forward when it's not there yet, because there's no point in it, and they did rush a single out on her."
Nevertheless, the Welsh star will be battling it out against fellow coaches Jessie J, Danny O'Donoghue and will.i.am in the hope of taking home the crown for one of his acts once again this year, and is excited about the live shows, which kick off tonight (07.06.13).
He said: "I'm competitive for the people I've chosen. I chose them because I think they are great, so winning is proving a point - that I was right.
"I think all three of my artists are winners. They are the best and the most unusual singers. Alys Williams has a warm, angelic voice. Mike Ward is a great country singer and Joe Apostol is great too. So I'm confident I'll win if there's any justice in the world."
Tagged in Sir Tom Jones Jessie J Leanne Mitchell