When Simon Cowell delivers one of his famous put-downs to contestants/fellow-judges/the BBC, what makes them compulsive watching is that they are delivered with wit, an element of truth and a twinkle in his eye.

Amanda Holden could do worse than watch her master in action, after attempting her own withering put-down at the Britain's Got Talent launch ahead of this season's debut last night, when it was pitted against The Voice on BBC1.

Referring to The Voice judge 71-year-old Sir Tom Jones and his spinning chair, she 'quipped': "he might be spinning in his grave next week."

Wow! That's the kind of horrible thing you hear about an elderly teacher from a bunch of school children, or oiks on the bus who don't know any better. From a woman who only a few weeks ago had the nation's sympathy as she battled a horribly dangerous childbirth, a little bit more warmth and compassion might have been expected.

As the pair take their places on their respective judging panels this weekend, here's a quick reminder of their comparative experience and knowledge of the music industry...

Tom Jones
Years in industry: 49, joining first band in 1963, first record contract a year later, played 200 dates a year until 2008
Career highlights: Songs - It's Not Unusual, What's New Pussycat?, Delilah, Kiss, She's A Lady
Grammy Award for Best New Artist 1965, Brit Award for Best Male 2000, Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution 2003
Las Vegas residency, at least one week a year 1967 - 2011, Millennium celebrations at the White House 2000
Collaborations include with Elvis Presley, The Art of Noise, Cerys Matthews, Raquel Welch, John Wayne, Bob Hope, The Cardigans, Natalie Imbruglia, Robbie Williams, Portishead, Chicane, Wyclef Jean, Jack White
Records sold: 100million +

Amanda Holden
Years in industry: 19
Career highlights: Contestant on Blind Date in 1991, pantomime in Bournemouth where she met and married Les Dennis, an affair with Neil Morrissey, roles in Cutting It and Wild at Heart on TV, Olivier award for Thoroughly Modern Millie on the West End stage, British correspondent for CBS Early Show, celebrity column in News of the World magazine, Princess Fiona in the musical Shrek
Records sold: Errrrr.....

Holden yesterday took to her Twitter, saying: "My comment has been taken completely out of context about the great Tom Jones! I love him!"

However, a spat between the rival shows has been brewing for the last few weeks in the lead-up to the head-to-head ratings war on Saturday night.

Jones has criticised Cowell's ability to judge singers, while Cowell has retorted, arguing that most artists who try to run record labels fail.

At least this is a proper debate, whereas it seemed Holden was trying to impress her gang-leader Cowell by joining in.

Meanwhile, Sir Tom has laughed off Holden's teenage comments. Further evidence of a class act.

The Voice launch...

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• The Voice is making itself heard with a high-profile launch ahead of its first episode on BBC1 on Saturday 24 March. Pictures: PA