TOM JONES FACES SHOCK EXIT FROM THE VOICE UK AS MORE THAN 65,000 FANS DEMAND HIS RETURN

Sir Tom Jones has become the focus of a growing backlash after his departure from The Voice UK sparked a petition calling for the legendary singer to return to the ITV talent show.

More than 65,000 people have now signed the petition, with the campaign gaining further attention after fellow coach will.i.am publicly backed the call for Jones to be reinstated.

The development comes just weeks after Jones, 86, revealed that he did not want to leave the programme and claimed ITV had effectively fired him from his long-running coaching role.

TOM JONES SAYS HE DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE

Jones has been associated with The Voice UK since the programme launched in 2012, although he missed one series before returning.

Earlier this month, the Welsh singer said he had been told that his departure was linked initially to “financial difficulty with insurance.”

He also said ITV had offered him a much smaller role in the next series, allowing him to make an appearance but without having his own coaching position.

Jones made clear that he was unhappy with the arrangement.

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience.”

He later added that there was never a good time to “fire an 86-year-old” who was still performing.

ITV ANNOUNCES A COMPLETELY NEW LINE-UP

ITV subsequently confirmed its plans for Series 15, which will air in 2027.

The new coaching panel will feature:

• Cheryl
• Aitch
• Kelly Rowland
• will.i.am

Cheryl and Aitch will make their coaching debuts on the programme, while Kelly Rowland returns alongside will.i.am.

ITV also confirmed that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will become the show’s new hosts, replacing Emma Willis.

McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are also leaving the coaching panel.

ITV thanked Sir Tom Jones for his years on the programme, describing him as “irreplaceable” and praising the moments he had created with contestants and audiences.

JONES COULD STILL HAVE A ROLE

Although Jones will no longer be a full-time coach in Series 15, the door has not necessarily been completely closed.

ITV has previously said it remains in discussions with Jones and his team about his possible involvement in the next series.

Reports have suggested that the programme could use him in a different capacity rather than having him occupy one of the four coaching chairs.

However, Jones himself has indicated that such a reduced role was not what he wanted.

THE PETITION GATHERS MOMENTUM

The campaign to bring Jones back was started by fan Aaron Howlett.

The petition has now attracted more than 65,000 signatures, according to a report published September 24.

The campaign also received an unexpected boost when will.i.am publicly encouraged fans to support it.

The petition does not change ITV’s announced Series 15 line-up, but it demonstrates the level of public attention surrounding Jones’s departure.

HIS FINAL PERFORMANCES HAVE ADDED TO THE EMOTION

Jones’s departure has become particularly emotional while the current series is still airing.

During a recent episode, the 86-year-old performed his famous hit “It’s Not Unusual.”

The performance prompted another wave of reactions from viewers, with fans posting messages about his voice, experience and long association with the programme.

Jones later thanked supporters for the messages and petitions that had been sent to him.

“It doesn’t go unnoticed and it’s been really lovely to receive these!”

The reaction has kept attention firmly on the question of whether Jones might appear on the programme again in some form.

A MAJOR CHANGE FOR THE VOICE UK

Jones’s departure is only one part of a much larger overhaul.

The next series will introduce not only two new coaches but also two new presenters.

Reports have also indicated that the familiar Rewind Button used during the Blind Auditions is being replaced by a new “Lockdown Button.”

According to reports, the new feature would come into play when all four coaches turn for a contestant, potentially allowing one coach to secure the singer immediately rather than leaving the final choice entirely with the performer.

The reported change has yet to be fully detailed by ITV in its official Series 15 announcement.

WHAT HAPPENS TO TOM JONES NEXT?

For now, ITV’s 2027 line-up is set to move forward without Sir Tom Jones as a full-time coach.

But with the petition continuing to grow and will.i.am publicly supporting the campaign, Jones’s departure remains a major talking point around the show.

Whether ITV ultimately gives the Welsh music legend another role remains to be seen.

For Jones, however, his own position has been clear: he did not want to leave the show he had loved being part of for so many years.

And with thousands of viewers now calling for his return, the conversation surrounding Sir Tom Jones and The Voice UK is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.