WILL.I.AM BACKS CALL FOR TOM JONES TO RETURN TO THE VOICE UK AS PETITION PASSES 66,000 SIGNATURES

A growing campaign calling for Sir Tom Jones to return to The Voice UK has received a major boost after fellow coach will.i.am publicly backed the petition.

More than 66,000 people have now signed the Change.org campaign demanding that ITV reconsider its decision to remove the Welsh music legend from the show’s coaching panel.

The campaign was launched by superfan Aaron Howlett, 50, after Tom revealed earlier this month that ITV had decided to remove him from the programme.

WILL.I.AM JOINS THE CAMPAIGN

Will.i.am, who has worked alongside Tom on The Voice UK, shared an Instagram post connected to the petition, giving the campaign an unexpected boost.

The move came after Tom publicly explained that he had not chosen to leave the show.

The 86-year-old singer said ITV had told him the decision was connected to financial difficulties with insurance, although the broadcaster later described the change as part of an effort to refresh the programme with a new coaching line-up.

Tom said he had been offered a reduced role involving appearances but would not be part of the coaching process from the beginning.

He made clear that he was unhappy with the arrangement.

MORE THAN 66,000 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED

The petition, created by Howlett on September 8, has rapidly attracted support from fans around the world.

Change.org currently lists 66,345 verified signatures, with the number continuing to rise.

The campaign calls on ITV to reinstate Tom as a coach, arguing that his decades of experience and relationship with contestants have made him an important part of the programme.

Howlett told BBC Radio Wales that he had been a Tom Jones fan for around four decades and believed the singer still had a great deal to offer the show.

TOM JONES HAS BEEN PART OF THE SHOW SINCE 2012

Tom first joined The Voice UK when the programme premiered in 2012.

Although he was absent for one series, he subsequently returned and became one of the show’s most recognisable coaches.

Over the years, he has worked alongside a changing line-up of music stars, including will.i.am, Jessie J, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Kelly Rowland.

He has also mentored contestants who went on to win the competition.

For many viewers, his departure therefore represents the end of a long-running connection with the programme.

ITV HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THE NEW LINE-UP

Despite the petition, ITV has already confirmed its plans for Series 15.

The new coaching panel will feature will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Cheryl and Aitch.

ITV described the new line-up as a fresh chapter for the programme and thanked Tom for his years on The Voice UK, calling him “irreplaceable” and highlighting the memorable moments he brought to the show.

The broadcaster also confirmed that the next series is scheduled to air in 2027.

The production is already moving forward with the new coaching team.

COULD TOM STILL RETURN?

For now, there is no announcement that Tom Jones will return as a full-time coach.

However, ITV previously said it remained in discussions with Tom and his representatives about his involvement in the next series.

That leaves open the possibility of some form of appearance, although no specific arrangement has been confirmed.

Tom himself has not announced that he is returning to the coaching panel.

Instead, his comments have focused on his disappointment at being removed from the role he had expected to continue.

FANS CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD

The petition has attracted thousands of comments from supporters who say they want to see Tom back in his red chair.

Some signatories have said they will not watch the programme without him, while others have praised his experience and connection with contestants.

Those comments represent the views of individual petition supporters and do not establish how the wider Voice UK audience feels.

For now, the official plan remains unchanged.

But with more than 66,000 verified signatures and one of Tom’s former fellow coaches now publicly supporting the campaign, the push to bring the legendary singer back has gained another high-profile voice.

Whether that campaign changes ITV’s plans remains to be seen.

For the moment, Tom Jones is out of the Series 15 coaching line-up — but the campaign to bring him back is still growing.