TOM JONES SAYS HE WAS “FIRED” FROM THE VOICE UK AS ITV UNVEILS MAJOR SHAKE-UP

Sir Tom Jones has said he did not want to leave The Voice UK and claimed ITV effectively “fired” him from the show after more than a decade as one of its best-known coaches.

The Welsh music legend, 86, revealed in September 2026 that he had been told he would no longer have a full-time coaching role when the programme returns for its 15th series in 2027.

Jones said he was disappointed by the decision and insisted that leaving the show had not been his choice.

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” Jones said in a statement shared on Instagram.

TOM JONES SAYS ITV MADE THE DECISION

Jones said ITV had made the decision some time earlier but that he had only recently been informed.

According to the singer, he was initially told the change was connected to financial difficulties involving insurance.

He also said ITV later described the move as an attempt to refresh the programme with a new coaching line-up.

Jones claimed he had been offered a much smaller role that would involve making an appearance without being involved in the competition from the beginning.

He said he was “not thrilled” with the proposal.

The singer ended his statement by saying: “There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”

ITV THANKS THE MUSIC LEGEND

ITV has not described the change as Jones being “fired.”

A spokesperson for The Voice UK said the broadcaster had loved working with Jones during his nine years on the ITV version of the programme.

The spokesperson confirmed that Jones would no longer be a full-time coach for series 15, but said ITV was continuing discussions with Jones and his representatives about possible involvement in the next series.

ITV subsequently announced the complete coaching line-up for the upcoming series.

A COMPLETELY NEW COACHING LINE-UP

For series 15, Cheryl and Aitch will make their coaching debuts, joining returning coach Kelly Rowland and long-standing coach will.i.am.

ITV also confirmed that Emma Willis, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones would not return to their regular roles.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will take over as hosts.

The new series is scheduled to air in 2027.

ITV thanked Jones for his years on the programme, describing him as an important part of The Voice UK’s history and acknowledging the many memorable moments he brought to the show.

JONES HAS BEEN PART OF THE SHOW SINCE 2012

Tom Jones was one of the original coaches when The Voice UK launched on BBC One in 2012.

He won the first series with contestant Leanne Mitchell and later returned to coach on the ITV version after the programme moved networks.

During his time on the show, Jones worked alongside a long list of major music stars, including will.i.am, Jessie J, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue and Rita Ora.

He also coached two further winners — Ruti Olajugbagbe in series seven and Anthonia Edwards in series 11.

His departure therefore represents a significant change for a programme with which he has been associated for much of its history.

THE VOICE UK IS ALSO CHANGING ITS FORMAT

The coaching shake-up is not the only major change coming to the programme.

Reports say the next series will introduce a new “Lockdown Button” during the Blind Auditions.

The reported feature would come into play when all four coaches turn their chairs for a contestant.

A coach could then press the button to automatically secure that singer for their team, rather than allowing the contestant to hear the coaches’ pitches and choose between them.

The change would replace the Rewind Button, which was introduced during the previous series.

The reported format change has added another layer of uncertainty around the show’s next chapter.

A NEW ERA FOR THE VOICE UK

With four new faces across the coaching and presenting line-up, the 2027 series is set to look very different from the programme viewers have become accustomed to.

For Tom Jones, however, the change comes with mixed feelings.

He has made clear that he still loves the programme and would have preferred to remain a full-time coach.

ITV, meanwhile, has thanked him for nine years on its version of The Voice UK while leaving open the possibility of a smaller role in the future.

For now, Jones’ place in the show’s next series remains uncertain — but his contribution to The Voice UK over more than a decade is already part of its history.