TOM JONES LEAVES THE VOICE UK AS ITV UNVEILS MAJOR 2027 SHAKE-UP AND NEW ‘LOCKDOWN’ TWIST

THE 86-YEAR-OLD SINGER SAYS HE “DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE” AS ITV CONFIRMS A NEW COACHING PANEL FOR SERIES 15

Sir Tom Jones is set to leave his full-time role as a coach on The Voice UK after more than a decade on the hit singing competition, as ITV prepares a major overhaul of the programme ahead of its 2027 series.

The Welsh music legend, 86, has been part of The Voice UK since the show launched in 2012 and became one of its most recognisable coaches.

But ITV has now confirmed that Jones will not return as a full-time coach for Series 15.

The broadcaster announced that Cheryl and rapper Aitch will join returning coach Kelly Rowland and will.i.am on the new panel. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will also become the show’s new presenters.

TOM JONES SAYS HE “DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE”

Jones has publicly disputed the idea that he voluntarily stepped away from the programme.

In a statement shared after news of his departure emerged, the singer said he “did not want to leave” The Voice and that he loved the show and appreciated its audience.

Jones also claimed that ITV had made the decision some time earlier and that he had only recently been informed.

According to his account, he was offered a reduced role in which he could make an appearance without being involved as a coach from the beginning of the series.

Jones said he was not happy with that arrangement.

ITV, meanwhile, said it had “loved working with” Jones and confirmed that while he would no longer be a full-time coach, discussions were continuing with Jones and his representatives about possible involvement in the next series.

A COMPLETELY NEW COACHING LINE-UP

ITV’s official announcement marks one of the biggest changes to The Voice UK in recent years.

Cheryl will join the coaching panel alongside:

• Kelly Rowland
• will.i.am
• Aitch
• Cheryl

Kelly Rowland is returning for a second series, while Aitch and Cheryl will make their coaching debuts on the programme.

The changes also mean that Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones will leave the coaching panel.

Emma Willis is also stepping away from her long-running presenting role, with Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon taking over hosting duties.

Series 15 is scheduled to air in 2027.

THE “LOCKDOWN” BUTTON IS COMING

The coaching shake-up is not the only change planned for the next series.

Reports about the new format say The Voice UK will replace its recently introduced Rewind Button with a new feature called the Lockdown Button.

The reported twist comes into play when all four coaches turn for a contestant.

Under the new format, a coach can reportedly use the Lockdown Button to automatically secure the singer for their team, preventing the other coaches from making their pitches.

That would remove the traditional moment in which a contestant hears from the coaches before deciding which team to join.

The Rewind Button, introduced during the current series, is reportedly being removed altogether.

TOM JONES’ 14-YEAR CONNECTION WITH THE SHOW

Jones was one of the original coaches when The Voice UK launched in 2012.

Over the years, he became closely associated with the programme, appearing across multiple series and helping contestants develop their careers.

His departure therefore represents a significant change for a programme that has featured him for much of its television run.

However, ITV’s statement leaves open the possibility that Jones could still have some involvement in Series 15.

The broadcaster specifically said discussions with Jones and his team were continuing, although he will not return as a full-time coach.

THE SHOW ENTERS A NEW ERA

The 2027 series will look markedly different from the programme viewers have become accustomed to.

Alongside the new coaching panel, the show will have two new hosts and a redesigned competition format.

ITV said the new line-up is intended to bring a fresh energy to the programme while continuing its search for emerging vocal talent.

For Jones, however, the transition appears to be more complicated.

While ITV has thanked him for his years on the programme, the singer has made clear that leaving was not his preferred outcome.

And with the new Lockdown Button, new coaches and new presenters all arriving for 2027, The Voice UK is preparing to enter a very different chapter.

Whether Jones eventually appears in some reduced capacity remains to be seen.

For now, his full-time coaching era on The Voice UK is coming to an end after more than a decade.