TOM JONES LEAVES THE VOICE UK AS SHOW FACES MAJOR SHAKE-UP AND RECORD RATINGS SLUMP

The 86-year-old music legend says he never wanted to leave — while fans rally for his return and ITV prepares a completely revamped 2027 series

Sir Tom Jones’ departure from The Voice UK has turned into one of the biggest controversies surrounding the singing competition in years.

The Welsh music legend, 86, has made it clear that leaving the show was not his decision, saying he wanted to continue as a coach but was informed by ITV that he would no longer have a full-time chair.

Now, weeks after the announcement, the programme is facing a major shake-up — and new reports say its latest episode attracted fewer than 1.5 million viewers, described by The Sun as the show’s lowest-ever audience.

At the same time, a petition calling for Tom to return has gathered more than 66,000 signatures, while his former coaching colleague will.i.am has publicly backed the campaign.

“I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE”

Tom Jones publicly addressed his departure after reports emerged that he would not return as a full-time coach for the 2027 series.

In a statement shared on social media, the legendary singer said:

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

Jones said ITV had made the decision some time earlier but had only recently informed him.

According to the singer, he was told that financial difficulties involving insurance were behind the decision.

He also said ITV had offered him a much smaller role, in which he might make an appearance without being involved from the beginning of the competition.

Jones made clear that he was unhappy with the arrangement.

The Independent reported that he described the situation as effectively being “fired” from the programme, despite wanting to stay.

ITV PRESENTS A COMPLETELY NEW LINE-UP

ITV subsequently confirmed its plans for the 15th series of The Voice UK.

The 2027 edition will feature Aitch and Cheryl as new coaches, joining returning coaches will.i.am and Kelly Rowland.

The hosting duties will also change, with Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon taking over from Emma Willis.

Meanwhile, both McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are leaving the coaching panel alongside Sir Tom Jones.

ITV described the changes as a new line-up designed to bring fresh energy to the programme.

The broadcaster also paid tribute to Tom Jones, thanking him for his years on the show and the memorable moments he created for contestants and viewers.

Series 15 is scheduled to air in 2027.

BUT TOM’S VERSION OF EVENTS IS DIFFERENT

The biggest source of controversy is that Tom Jones’ explanation does not completely match the public description of a simple “refresh.”

ITV has emphasized the new coaching line-up.

Jones, however, said he was told the decision was connected to insurance costs and that he only learned about it shortly before the news became public.

He also suggested that the programme wanted him in a reduced capacity rather than as a full-time coach.

That difference has fueled a wave of criticism from fans who believe the singer deserved to remain in his famous red chair.

ITV had previously said it loved working with Jones and had been hopeful about his continued involvement before the final line-up was announced.

FANS LAUNCH PETITION TO BRING HIM BACK

The backlash quickly moved online.

A fan named Aaron Howlett launched a petition calling on ITV to reinstate Tom Jones as a coach.

The campaign argues that Tom’s decades of musical experience, mentorship and connection with contestants make him an essential part of the programme.

By September 25, the petition had passed 66,000 signatures, according to reporting by Rayo.

And Tom has received support from one of the most important people still sitting in the red chairs.

will.i.am backed the campaign, sharing material connected with the petition.

The support is significant because will.i.am is not simply a former colleague — he remains one of the coaches who will return for the new series.

VIEWERS ARE NOW TURNING AWAY?

The controversy took another turn this weekend.

According to The Sun, the latest episode of The Voice UK attracted fewer than 1.5 million viewers, which the newspaper described as the programme’s lowest-ever audience.

The report compared the figure with the show’s much larger audiences during its peak years, when it reportedly averaged around 8.5 million viewers.

The episode was also broadcast in a later time slot to avoid a clash with Strictly Come Dancing.

However, it would be too early to conclude that Tom Jones’ departure alone caused the ratings decline.

The programme has undergone several changes at once, including the departure of multiple coaches and its former presenter.

Scheduling, competition from other television programmes and changing viewing habits may also have affected the audience.

Still, the timing has added fuel to the debate over whether ITV’s decision to overhaul the show was the right one.

ALESHA DIXON AND STACEY SOLOMON TAKE OVER

The changes extend beyond the coaching panel.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will become the new hosts for Series 15.

Dixon has spoken about bringing new energy to the programme, while Solomon is also taking on the role as part of ITV’s broader refresh.

Their arrival means that the next series will look dramatically different from the current edition.

The 2026 series still features Tom Jones, meaning viewers are seeing his final run on the programme even as the controversy surrounding his departure continues.

TOM JONES’ LEGACY ON THE SHOW

Tom Jones has been associated with The Voice UK since its beginning in 2012, although he has not appeared as a coach in every single series.

Over the years, he became one of the most recognizable faces of the programme.

His age also became part of the conversation.

At 86, Jones remains an active performer, and his supporters have argued that his decades of experience make him particularly valuable to aspiring singers.

His departure therefore feels different from an ordinary cast change for many long-time viewers.

For fans, the issue is not simply about who occupies one of four red chairs.

It is about removing one of the personalities most closely associated with the show’s identity.

COULD TOM STILL RETURN?

For now, there is no confirmed plan for Tom Jones to return as a full-time coach in 2027.

ITV has officially announced the new four-person coaching panel: Aitch, Cheryl, Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.

Tom has said he was offered a reduced role, but he made clear that he was unhappy about no longer being involved from the beginning.

Whether that offer eventually develops into a guest appearance or another role remains uncertain.

For the moment, the petition and public reaction demonstrate that a significant group of viewers are not ready to say goodbye.

THE VOICE UK ENTERS A NEW ERA

The next series will be almost unrecognizable compared with the programme that viewers have watched for years.

Tom Jones is leaving.

Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are leaving.

Emma Willis is leaving the hosting role.

Aitch and Cheryl are coming in.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are taking over the presenting duties.

And yet one thing remains clear:

The debate over Tom Jones’ departure is not going away.

Whether the new line-up can win over viewers remains to be seen.

But after more than a decade on The Voice UK, the absence of Sir Tom Jones will be one of the most closely watched changes when the show returns in 2027.

And if the growing petition is anything to go by, many fans are still hoping the story has one more twist.