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

Sir Tom Jones has revealed that he did not want to leave The Voice UK after 13 seasons, saying ITV made the decision to remove him from the coaching panel as the show prepares for a major overhaul.

The 86-year-old Welsh music legend confirmed that he will not return as a full-time coach for the show’s upcoming 15th series, despite saying he still loved the programme and its audience.

Jones addressed the situation publicly after reports emerged that he had been dropped from the ITV singing competition.

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” Jones said in a statement shared on social media.

He said ITV had made the decision some time earlier but that he had only recently been informed.

‘THE REASON GIVEN IS BECAUSE OF INSURANCE’

Jones said the reason given to him for the decision involved “financial difficulty with insurance.”

He added that ITV was now describing the move as part of an effort to “refresh” the programme.

According to Jones, producers offered him a significantly reduced role in which he would make appearances but would not be involved from the beginning of the competition.

He said he was “not thrilled” with that arrangement.

Jones ended his statement with a pointed reference to his age, saying there was never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who was “still pretty good at his job.”

ITV PLANS A MAJOR OVERHAUL

ITV has confirmed that The Voice UK is undergoing a substantial change ahead of its 15th series.

The broadcaster announced that Cheryl and rapper Aitch will join returning coaches Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.

Jones, meanwhile, will no longer be a full-time coach.

ITV also confirmed that presenters Emma Willis, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are leaving their respective roles, with Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon set to host the next series.

The broadcaster described Jones as “irreplaceable” while thanking him for the years he had spent on the programme and the moments he had helped create.

An ITV spokesperson said the broadcaster had loved working with Jones and that discussions were continuing with him and his team about possible involvement in the next series.

That means his departure from the coaching panel does not necessarily mean audiences will never see him associated with the programme again.

13 SEASONS IN THE RED CHAIR

Jones first joined The Voice UK when the show launched in 2012.

He has appeared as a coach in all but one of the show’s first 14 seasons, taking a break during the fifth series.

During his time on the programme, Jones became one of its most recognisable figures, mentoring singers and helping guide contestants through the competition.

He also coached three winners: Leanne Mitchell, Ruti Olajugbagbe and Anthonia Edwards.

The current 14th series continues to feature Jones alongside will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

WHY DID ITV MAKE THE CHANGE?

ITV’s official explanation is that the programme is being refreshed with a new coaching line-up.

Jones, however, has provided a different piece of context, saying the reason initially given to him was a financial difficulty connected to insurance.

Those two explanations are not necessarily mutually exclusive: Jones was told about an insurance-related financial issue, while ITV has publicly framed the wider decision as part of the show’s refresh.

ITV has not publicly suggested that Jones left voluntarily.

Instead, its statement thanked him for his contribution while confirming that he would not be returning as a full-time coach for series 15.

THE NEXT ERA OF THE VOICE UK

The shake-up means the 2027 series will look very different from the programme viewers have become accustomed to.

Cheryl will take a seat on the coaching panel alongside Aitch, Kelly Rowland and will.i.am, while Solomon and Dixon will take over presenting duties.

For long-time viewers, however, Jones’ departure marks the end of one of the show’s longest-running coaching relationships.

The singer has made clear that leaving was not his choice.

For now, he remains involved in the current series, while ITV prepares to introduce its new line-up for 2027.

Whether Jones ultimately appears in a reduced capacity remains open, as ITV has said discussions with his team are continuing.

But one thing is clear from Jones’ own words: he did not want to leave the red chair.