TOM JONES SPEAKS OUT AFTER THE VOICE UK EXIT AS ITV CONFIRMS MAJOR SHAKE-UP

Sir Tom Jones has spoken publicly about his departure from The Voice UK, saying he did not want to leave the show after more than a decade as one of its most recognizable coaches. ITV has now confirmed a major overhaul of the programme, including a new coaching panel and new presenters for the next series.

Sir Tom Jones has addressed his unexpected exit from The Voice UK, revealing that leaving the long-running singing competition was not his decision.

The Welsh music legend, now 86, said he was told that ITV had decided he would no longer be a full-time coach on the programme.

Jones said he had remained passionate about the show and its audience and made clear that he would have preferred to continue in his coaching role.

“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 Instagram.

According to Jones, ITV made the decision some time ago but only recently informed him.

He said the reason initially given to him was “financial difficulty with insurance.”

Jones also said that ITV later described the changes as an attempt to “refresh” the programme with a new coaching line-up.

TOM JONES WAS OFFERED A REDUCED ROLE

Although he will not return as a full-time coach, Jones said ITV had offered him a significantly reduced role on the programme.

Under the proposal, he would make an appearance but would not be involved from the beginning of the competition in the same way as the show’s regular coaches.

Jones said he was not happy with that arrangement.

He concluded his statement with a pointed comment about his departure, saying there was “never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”

His comments quickly attracted attention because Jones had become one of the defining personalities of The Voice UK.

ITV CONFIRMS TOM JONES WILL NOT RETURN AS A FULL-TIME COACH

ITV subsequently confirmed the changes to the programme.

In an official announcement on September 11, ITV revealed the complete coaching line-up for Series 15, which is scheduled to air in 2027.

Jones will not return as a full-time coach.

Instead, the famous red chairs will feature Cheryl, Aitch, Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.

Cheryl, the former Girls Aloud star and longtime pop performer, will join the programme as a coach.

Rapper Aitch will also make his debut on the coaching panel.

Kelly Rowland will return for a second consecutive series, while will.i.am remains part of the show.

ITV thanked Jones for his years on the programme, describing him as an important part of The Voice UK and acknowledging the many memorable moments he created with contestants and audiences.

The broadcaster also thanked Emma Willis, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones for their contributions to the show.

ALESHA DIXON AND STACEY SOLOMON WILL HOST

The changes will not be limited to the coaching panel.

ITV has confirmed that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will take over as hosts for Series 15.

The move represents another significant change for a programme that has traditionally been associated with a single presenter.

The new format will therefore feature four coaches and two presenters when the next series arrives in 2027.

JONES HAS BEEN PART OF THE SHOW SINCE 2012

Jones has had a remarkably long association with The Voice UK.

He was one of the original coaches when the programme launched in 2012.

Although he missed one series, he returned and subsequently became one of the show’s most familiar faces.

During his time on the programme, Jones worked alongside numerous major artists, including will.i.am, Jessie J, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Olly Murs, among others.

He also coached several successful contestants.

Among his winners were Leanne Mitchell, who won the first series in 2012, Ruti Olajugbagbe, who won Series 7, and Anthonia Edwards, who won Series 11.

His departure therefore marks the end of a long chapter for one of the programme’s original coaching figures.

THE SHOW IS ALSO GETTING A NEW “LOCKDOWN” BUTTON

The coaching overhaul comes alongside another reported change to the competition format.

A new “Lockdown” button is being introduced for the next series, replacing the recently introduced Rewind button.

The new mechanism will reportedly be used when all four coaches turn their chairs for a contestant during a Blind Audition.

Under the reported format, a coach can press the Lockdown button and automatically secure the singer for their team.

That would change one of the familiar moments in The Voice UK.

Traditionally, when several coaches wanted a contestant, the singer would hear their pitches before ultimately choosing which coach they wanted to work with.

The new system could instead allow a coach to secure the contestant before that final choice takes place.

The change has been reported as part of a broader effort to alter the format of the programme.

ITV AND TOM JONES HAVE DESCRIBED HIS FUTURE DIFFERENTLY

There is an important distinction between Jones’s account of his departure and ITV’s public statement.

Jones has described the situation as being “fired” and said he did not want to leave.

ITV, meanwhile, has said it is grateful for his years on the programme and confirmed that he will no longer be a full-time coach.

A spokesperson said ITV had loved working with Jones over his years on The Voice UK and that the broadcaster was still in discussions with him and his team about possible involvement in the next series.

That leaves open the possibility that audiences could still see Jones appear on the programme in some capacity, although he will not occupy one of the four regular coaching positions.

A NEW ERA FOR THE VOICE UK

The changes mean that the next series will look very different from the programme audiences have become accustomed to.

Tom Jones will be absent from the regular coaching panel.

Emma Willis will no longer host the programme.

Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones are also leaving the coaching line-up.

In their places will be Cheryl and Aitch, while Kelly Rowland and will.i.am remain.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will take over presenting duties.

And contestants will face the new Lockdown button during the competition.

For Jones, however, the changes mark the end of an era that began with the show’s launch more than a decade ago.

Despite his disappointment, the legendary singer’s relationship with The Voice UK may not be completely over.

ITV says discussions about his possible involvement are continuing — meaning viewers may still see Sir Tom Jones return to the programme in some form, even though he will no longer be one of its full-time coaches.

Series 15 of The Voice UK is scheduled to broadcast in 2027.