WILL.I.AM REPORTEDLY FURIOUS AFTER SIR TOM JONES IS DROPPED FROM THE VOICE UK — AND THE NEW LINE-UP IS ALREADY FACING BACKLASH

The Voice UK is heading into a major 2027 shake-up, but reports of backstage tension have overshadowed the arrival of Cheryl and Aitch — with longtime coach will.i.am reportedly unhappy about the way Sir Tom Jones was shown the door.

A MAJOR CHANGE BEHIND THE RED CHAIRS

The next chapter of The Voice UK was supposed to mark a fresh start.

Instead, the show’s latest shake-up has sparked controversy before the new series has even reached television screens.

ITV has confirmed a dramatically different coaching line-up for Series 15, with Cheryl and Aitch joining returning coaches will.i.am and Kelly Rowland. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will also take over as hosts.

But the biggest talking point has been the absence of Sir Tom Jones.

The Welsh music legend, 86, had been part of The Voice UK since its launch in 2012 and became one of the show’s most recognizable faces.

Now, he will no longer occupy one of the show’s famous red chairs.

And according to reports, the decision has not gone down well with everyone behind the scenes.

WILL.I.AM IS REPORTEDLY NOT HAPPY

Reports have claimed that will.i.am was furious over the way Tom’s departure was handled.

The Black Eyed Peas star has been closely associated with Tom throughout their years together on the programme, and sources cited by The Sun say he has made his feelings about the situation known to producers.

The reported tension comes as filming gets underway for the 2027 series.

Rather than the usual celebratory atmosphere surrounding the beginning of a new season, reports describe an awkward mood following Tom’s sudden exit.

Will.i.am has also publicly supported a petition calling for Tom to return to the show, adding to speculation that he remains unhappy with the decision.

TOM JONES SAYS HE DID NOT CHOOSE TO LEAVE

Tom himself has made it clear that his departure was not his decision.

In a statement shared with fans, he said he loved the programme and appreciated its audience, but claimed ITV had decided to remove him from the full-time coaching panel.

Tom said the reason initially given to him involved financial difficulties surrounding insurance.

He also said ITV had subsequently described the move as an attempt to “refresh” the show and explained that there would no longer be a coaching chair available for him.

According to Tom, producers offered him a significantly reduced role in which he could make an appearance without being involved from the beginning.

He made no secret of his disappointment.

ITV, meanwhile, has thanked Tom for his years on the programme and said it is continuing discussions with him and his team about possible involvement in the new series.

The broadcaster described his contribution as bringing “joy” to audiences and contestants.

AND THEN THERE IS CHERYL

With Tom gone, Cheryl has stepped into the spotlight as one of the show’s newest coaches.

The former Girls Aloud star is returning to the talent-show world after years away from television, having previously been one of the most recognizable judges on The X Factor.

But her arrival has reportedly created an uncomfortable situation.

Some fans initially treated Cheryl as directly responsible for Tom losing his chair because she was announced as part of the replacement line-up.

However, reports indicate that Cheryl was not responsible for the decision and was herself unaware of exactly how Tom’s departure had been handled.

That has left the singer entering a new job while facing backlash over a decision she reportedly did not make.

A NEW ERA FOR THE VOICE UK

The changes go well beyond Tom.

The McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher are also leaving the coaching panel, while Aitch joins as a new coach.

Kelly Rowland returns for another series alongside will.i.am.

Behind the scenes, the hosting team is changing too, with Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon replacing Emma Willis.

ITV has described the changes as part of a major new chapter for the programme.

But the reaction from some viewers has been far less enthusiastic.

Tom’s departure has triggered an outpouring of support from fans and former colleagues, including former Voice coach Olly Murs, who publicly praised the 86-year-old as a legend and one of the best people ever to occupy a chair on the show.

WILL TOM JONES REALLY BE GONE?

Not necessarily.

Although Tom will no longer be a full-time coach, ITV has said discussions are continuing over whether he could have some involvement in the next series.

That leaves the door slightly open.

For now, however, the red chair that became synonymous with Tom Jones belongs to someone else.

And as the cameras begin rolling on the new season, the biggest question may no longer be whether The Voice UK can reinvent itself.

It may be whether the show can move forward while one of its most recognizable coaches remains at the center of the controversy.

The new series is expected to air on ITV in 2027.