Sir Tom Jones has pushed back angrily at ITV, saying he “did not want to leave The Voice” after reports emerged that he is being removed from the show.
Sources claimed on Monday that the 86-year-old music icon was set to step down from his judging role after 13 years, as part of a major shake-up to the singing competition.
But the Welsh star has now made clear that the departure was not his choice, alleging that ITV “fired” him over what he described as “a financial difficulty with insurance”.
Producers are said to be in advanced discussions to bring in Cheryl, 43, and rapper Aitch, 26, for the 2027 series, with Sir Tom and fellow judges Tom Fletcher, 41, and Danny Jones, 40, of McFly reportedly making way. Filming is due to begin on Friday.
The new arrivals would reportedly sit alongside former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, 45, and rapper will.i.am, 51, who are understood to be remaining on the coaching panel.
Writing on social media on Tuesday, Sir Tom said: “To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.
“The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to ‘refresh’ the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn’t be a chair for me.”
Sir Tom Jones says he “did not want to leave The Voice” and claims he was only informed of ITV’s decision “recently”.
‘To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice … ITV made this decision and I was told just recently.’ Sir Tom wrote in a post shared to his Instagram and Facebook pages
He added that ITV had offered him ‘a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that.
‘So the only thing I know right now, is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.’
Representatives for The Voice have been contacted by Daily Mail for comment.
Series 14, which is currently airing on ITV, has been delayed on two separate occasions due to scheduling changes.
Filming for the pre-recorded auditions took place in the first half of 2024 meaning that by the time the live finals air in a few weeks time, there will have been a two year gap. It is not been confirmed if Sir Tom will return for the live finale.
ITV pushed back against suggestions that Sir Tom’s departure was a done deal on Monday with an insider telling Our News Outlet: ‘ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom. They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series.’
It was revealed this week that the show was keen to refresh the coaching panel ahead of the next series, with producers reportedly in last minute talks to bring in Cheryl and Aitch, according to an insider.
ITV are also said to be keen to keep hold of Ms Rowland, who made her debut on the show this year, and will.i.am, who has been on the show since its debut series alongside Tom. With the four red chairs filled, there would be no room for Sir Tom.
Insiders revealed on Monday that the show was keen to refresh the coaching panel, which in the series which is airing currently sees Tom sit alongside Kelly Rowland and will.i.am and duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones from McFly
Sir Tom was also unceremoniously dropped from the show in 2015 when it was airing on the BBC. Having been cast as a judge in 2012, he was cut by the BBC and replaced with Boy George.
The singer criticised show executives at the time, claiming there was ‘no consultation or conversation of any kind’.
In echoes of his latest sacking, Tom took to Facebook to blast the show declaring that ‘this substandard behaviour from the executives is very disappointing’.
Talking to the Radio Times, the Sex Bomb singer revealed that he had been left incredibly angry by the BBC’s sudden decision. He said: ‘I was p****d off. I never got to the bottom of who made the decision,’ he said, before noting: ‘Well of course, that’s a kick in the b******s.’
The Welsh singer added though that he experienced some satisfaction when ratings for the show plummeted in its following series.
When the show moved to ITV in 2017, SIr Tom was bought back as a judge. It total the singing competition has had eleven celeb coaches in its 14 year run.
Fans were left devastated by Tom’s latest sacking. One commented on Instagram: ‘You are the reason people watch this programme, Sir Tom. You are the Voice. Always have been, always will be. I won’t watch it if you aren’t on it. Judging by other comments on social media, so many others feel the same. It’s a stupid decision they will regret!’
Carol Vorderman was among those to comment, writing that it was a ‘terrible decision imho … I saw you perform at Car Fest and you remain simply incredible and A LEGEND You ARE The Voice.’
Singer Karl Loxley, who appeared on The Voice as part of Tom’s team in the 2015 series, commented: ‘The best thing about being on The Voice was getting the chance to work with you. An absolute legend and a true gentleman. ❤️ The Voice won’t be the same without you.’.
Rapper Aitch has been the frontrunner to replace McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher who have already announced that they are leaving the show.
There are also reports that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are set to replace departing host Emma Willis, who is the new lead presenter on BBC rival show Strictly.
Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge Cheryl has not been on primetime TV in six years, with her last TV outing seeing her as a dance captain on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer in 2020.
However, it is now said she’s been in talks with show bosses ‘for months’, with filming for the new series kicking off on September 11 in Manchester.
The ITV series, which attracts roughly two million viewers per week, boasts Becky Hill among some of its success stories.
