TOM JONES SPEAKS OUT AFTER LEAVING THE VOICE UK: ‘I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE’

LONDON — Sir Tom Jones has spoken publicly about his departure from The Voice UK, saying he did not choose to leave the ITV singing competition after more than a decade as one of its coaches.

The 86-year-old Welsh music legend said ITV had made the decision to remove him as a full-time coach and that he was only informed about it recently.

His comments have drawn renewed attention to the future of one of the show’s longest-serving coaches.

“I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE”

Jones addressed his departure in a statement posted on social media in September 2026.

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

According to Jones, ITV had made the decision some time earlier but told him only recently.

He said the reason given to him was “financial difficulty with insurance.”

Jones also said that ITV was publicly describing the change as an effort to “refresh” the program with a new coaching lineup.

He added that he had been offered a significantly reduced role in which he would make an appearance but would not be involved with contestants from the beginning of the series. He said he was not enthusiastic about that arrangement.

ITV SAYS THE DOOR IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED

ITV’s public response has been more measured.

A spokesperson for The Voice UK said the network had “loved working with Sir Tom Jones” and confirmed that he would no longer be a full-time coach on Series 15.

However, the broadcaster said it was continuing discussions with Jones and his team about possible involvement in the next series.

The comments indicate that while Jones will not occupy a coaching chair as a full-time mentor, his relationship with the program may not be completely over.

A LONG HISTORY WITH THE SHOW

Jones has been associated with The Voice UK since its launch in 2012.

He coached contestants during the show’s early BBC years before returning when ITV took over the program.

Over his time on the series, he worked alongside numerous major artists and helped mentor several successful contestants.

He also coached the show’s first winner, Leanne Mitchell, in the inaugural series.

Other winners associated with his coaching career include Ruti Olajugbagbe and Anthonia Edwards.

His departure therefore represents a significant change for a program with which he has been closely associated for many years.

ITV ANNOUNCES A NEW COACHING LINEUP

ITV subsequently confirmed a major change to the coaching panel for Series 15.

Cheryl and Aitch are joining the show, while Kelly Rowland and will.i.am are returning.

Jones, along with McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, will not be part of the full-time coaching lineup for the new series.

The presenting lineup is also changing.

Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are set to host the next series, replacing Emma Willis.

The next series is scheduled to air in 2027.

THE REASON FOR JONES’ DEPARTURE REMAINS A POINT OF DIFFERENCE

Jones has publicly attributed the decision, as it was explained to him, to financial difficulties involving insurance.

ITV, meanwhile, has publicly emphasized its decision to refresh the coaching lineup and its continued relationship with Jones.

The broadcaster has not publicly confirmed Jones’ characterization of the insurance issue as the sole reason for his departure.

That distinction is important because the two sides have presented somewhat different descriptions of how the change came about.

“THERE’S NEVER A GOOD TIME…”

Jones ended his statement with a pointed reference to his age.

“There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job,” he wrote.

The comment quickly became one of the most widely reported parts of his announcement.

Jones has continued performing during his 80s and remains active as a recording artist and live performer.

His departure from The Voice UK therefore comes after more than a decade in which he became a familiar presence in the show’s distinctive red chair.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

For now, Jones will not return as a full-time coach when The Voice UK moves into its 15th series.

But ITV has left open the possibility of some form of involvement, saying discussions with Jones and his representatives are continuing.

Meanwhile, the program is preparing for a new era with Cheryl, Aitch, Kelly Rowland and will.i.am on the coaching panel.

For Jones, however, the situation is more personal.

After years of mentoring aspiring singers and sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in music, he has made clear that leaving the show was not his decision.

And despite the change, his connection with The Voice UK may not be over just yet.