Tom Jones says ITV decided to remove him as a full-time coach from The Voice UK, despite his desire to remain with the programme, after nine years on the show.
by Paul Cashmere
Tom Jones has confirmed that he did not choose to leave The Voice UK, saying ITV decided to remove him as a full-time coach and only recently informed him of the decision. In a statement posted to his official social media accounts, the 86-year-old singer said he loved the programme and its audience, while questioning ITV’s explanation for his departure and revealing that he had been offered a substantially reduced role.
Tom Jones addressed his future on The Voice UK after reports of a major restructuring of the coaching panel for the programme’s next series. His statement provides his first detailed account of the circumstances surrounding his departure and makes clear that he regarded the decision as ITV’s rather than his own.
“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” Tom Jones wrote.
He said ITV had made the decision “obviously a while ago” but that he was told only recently. According to Tom Jones, the reason initially given to him was “a financial difficulty with insurance”.
He also addressed reports that ITV was planning to refresh the programme and introduce a new coaching line-up.
“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,” Tom Jones said.
ITV has publicly described his departure differently. A spokesperson for The Voice UK said the network had “loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years” and confirmed that he would no longer be a full-time coach for series 15. ITV also said it remained in discussions with Tom Jones and his team about his possible involvement in the new series.
Tom Jones said the proposed involvement would be substantially different from his previous role.
“They are offering 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,” he said.
He concluded the statement with a pointed assessment of the circumstances surrounding his exit: “There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”
Tom Jones has been part of The Voice UK since the programme’s early years and has become one of its most recognisable coaches. His tenure has extended across 13 seasons, with the singer working alongside a succession of international and British artists including will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Jessie J, Rita Ora and Kylie Minogue.
His connection with the programme dates back to its launch in 2012, although his participation has not been continuous across every series. During his time as a coach, Tom Jones has guided contestants to victory on three occasions, including the first season and later seasons seven and 11.
The programme has consequently provided an unusual second television platform for an artist whose recording career stretches back more than six decades. Tom Jones first became an international star in the 1960s with recordings including “It’s Not Unusual” and “What’s New Pussycat?”, establishing a catalogue that subsequently crossed pop, rock, soul, country and contemporary music.
His television career has increasingly placed him in the role of mentor and cultural authority, making his position on The Voice UK significant beyond the mechanics of a changing reality television panel. His longevity has also made him one of the programme’s most established figures.
The circumstances outlined by Tom Jones highlight two different explanations for his removal from the regular coaching line-up. Tom Jones says he was told the decision related to insurance costs, while ITV has subsequently framed the change as part of a broader refresh of the programme and its coaching line-up.
Those explanations are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but ITV has not publicly provided further detail about the insurance issue raised by Tom Jones.
The future coaching line-up for series 15 has been the subject of reports, with will.i.am and Kelly Rowland among the names linked with the programme and Cheryl and Aitch reported as possible additions. ITV has not formally confirmed the complete new panel.
For Tom Jones, however, the issue is less about whether he will make a future appearance than the loss of the coaching position he has held for much of the programme’s history. His statement makes clear that he wanted to continue in that role and is dissatisfied with the alternative being offered.
At 86, Tom Jones remains an active recording and performing artist, and his response to The Voice UK marks a rare public challenge to a major television network over the circumstances of his departure.
The programme’s next series will therefore begin without Tom Jones as a full-time coach, unless discussions between his representatives and ITV produce a different arrangement. For now, his own position is unequivocal: he did not volunteer to leave.
Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here
Be the first to see NOISE11.com’s newest interviews and special features on YouTube. See things first-Subscribe to Noise11 on YouTube
Follow Noise11.com on social media:
Facebook – Comment on the news of the day
