Tom Jones' new album has been compared to a “sick joke” by a senior executive at his record label.

In a private email to colleagues, David Sharpe, vice-president of Island Records, questioned why the 70-year-old star had been allowed to proceed with the project.

Jones was poached by Island records from EMI last year in a deal believed to be worth £1.5million.

But in his email, Sharpe appeared to suggest that songs on the star's new album 'Praise & Blame' had veered away from what the company expected.

"Imagine my surprise when I walked into the office this morning to hear hymns coming from your office - it could have been Sunday morning,” Sharpe wrote.

"My initial pleasure came to an abrupt halt when I realised that Tom Jones was singing the hymns! I have just listened to the album in its entirety and want to know if this is some sick joke????"

The Island vice-president continued: “Having lured him from EMI, the deal was that you would deliver a record of upbeat tracks along the lines of 'Sex Bomb' and 'Mama Told Me'...”

Sharpe added that, despite Jones's “venerable and interesting” story, 'Praise & Blame' was “not what was agreed and certainly not what we paid for”.

A spokesperson for Jones's management company told the Telegraph the tone of the email was "direct" and that they had not been aware of it.

(by Jason Gregory)