TOM JONES SPEAKS OUT AFTER LEAVING THE VOICE UK AS ITV REVEALS NEW COACHING LINE-UP

Sir Tom Jones has spoken publicly about his departure from The Voice UK, saying he did not want to leave the singing competition after more than a decade connected with the show.

The 86-year-old Welsh music legend will not return as a full-time coach when The Voice UK enters its 15th series in 2027.

ITV has confirmed a major overhaul of the programme, with Cheryl and rapper Aitch joining the coaching panel alongside returning coaches Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.

The announcement marks the end of another chapter for Jones, who became one of the most recognisable faces of the programme after joining the original coaching line-up when the show launched in 2012.

TOM JONES SAYS HE DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE

Jones addressed his departure in a statement shared publicly in September.

The singer said ITV had made the decision to remove him from the regular coaching panel and that he had only been informed recently.

According to Jones, the reason given to him involved financial difficulties relating to insurance.

He also said that ITV had subsequently described the changes as an effort to “refresh” the programme.

Jones made clear that he still wanted to be involved.

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

He also revealed that he had been offered a reduced role involving an appearance on the programme without taking part in the competition from the beginning.

Jones said he was not happy with that arrangement.

ITV CONFIRMS A MAJOR SHAKE-UP

ITV subsequently announced the new line-up for Series 15.

Cheryl, the former Girls Aloud star, will join the coaching panel for the new series, alongside platinum-selling rapper Aitch.

They will sit alongside Kelly Rowland, who returns for a second series, and will.i.am, the only remaining coach from the show’s original line-up.

The broadcaster also confirmed changes to the presenting team.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will take over as hosts for Series 15.

Emma Willis, who has hosted The Voice UK for many years, is leaving the programme, while Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are also departing the coaching panel.

Series 15 is scheduled to air in 2027.

ITV THANKS SIR TOM

Following Jones’s comments, ITV issued a statement thanking him for his years on the programme.

The broadcaster said it had “loved working with Sir Tom Jones” and praised the “incredible and unforgettable moments” he had given the show.

ITV also said Jones had brought joy to audiences and to singers who had performed for him and alongside him.

A spokesperson for The Voice UK added that while Jones would no longer be a full-time coach for Series 15, discussions with the singer and his team about possible involvement in the next series were continuing.

That means his connection with the programme may not necessarily be completely over.

A LONG HISTORY WITH THE SHOW

Jones first became a coach on The Voice UK when the programme debuted in 2012.

He remained one of its most recognisable personalities, although he was absent from the fifth series before returning later.

Over the years, viewers became familiar with his interactions with fellow coaches and contestants, as well as his decades of experience in the music industry.

His departure therefore represents a significant change for a programme that has repeatedly reshaped its coaching panel.

Jones’s exit is also not his first experience of being removed from The Voice.

In 2016, he was dropped from the BBC version of the show before returning after ITV took over the programme.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The new series will introduce a substantially different panel while retaining two familiar faces in Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.

Cheryl’s arrival will mark her return to a major television music competition role, while Aitch will make his debut as a Voice UK coach.

For Jones, however, the future remains less certain.

ITV has indicated that discussions about possible involvement are continuing, but there is currently no confirmation that he will return in a regular coaching position.

For now, the 2027 series will move forward without him occupying one of the famous red chairs.

After years of turning toward contestants and saying “I want you,” the veteran singer will watch a new generation of coaches take their places.

And while Jones has made clear that he did not want his full-time role to end, his long association with The Voice UK has already become part of the show’s history.