Sir Tom Jones has reportedly been stood down as a full-time coach on The Voice UK after more than thirteen years, as ITV bosses pursue a significant overhaul of the programme ahead of its fifteenth series.
The 86-year-old Welsh music icon, who has occupied one of the famous spinning chairs since the show’s debut in 2012, will not have his own team when production gets under way.
Filming on the new series is understood to be starting this Friday in Manchester.
Sources say the broadcaster felt a substantial refresh was necessary. “Everyone loves Sir Tom but there was a feeling that the upcoming series needed a major refresh,” an insider told The Sun.
Sir Tom Jones has reportedly been stood down as a full-time coach on The Voice UK
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ITVThe veteran performer has featured in 13 of the show’s 14 series to date, missing only the 2016 run.
The revamped panel will see Cheryl and rapper Aitch take their places alongside returning coaches will.i.am and Kelly Rowland, meaning there was simply no room left for Sir Tom.
“With Aitch and Cheryl coming on board and Kelly returning with will.i.am, there just wasn’t a seat going,” the source added.
Aitch’s appointment follows reports from July that he would be stepping in for McFly duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, who have departed the programme.
Filming on the new series is understood to be starting this Friday in Manchester
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ITV
Cheryl, meanwhile, brings extensive talent show pedigree from her years on The X Factor panel.
Her long-standing friendship with will.i.am is thought to have helped seal the deal. Kelly Rowland, the former Destiny’s Child star, joined the coaching roster for series 14 and is now set to continue for a second run.
Despite his removal from the main panel, discussions are continuing about how Sir Tom might still contribute to the programme in a diminished role.
One source suggested he could appear later in the run as a “super-mentor.”
Despite his removal from the main panel, discussions are continuing about how Sir Tom might still contribute to the programme in a diminished role
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GETTYA
“Sir Tom adores the show and finding new talent and still wanted to be involved,” the insider said.
A show source separately told the Mirror: “ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom. They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series.”
Those close to the production described the mood as bittersweet.
“Everyone is sad to see Tom go. Right now talks are ongoing about how he can be involved in the series in a smaller capacity,” the source told The Sun.
Sources say the broadcaster felt a substantial refresh was necessary
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PASir Tom himself has not yet commented publicly on the reports.
The It’s Not Unusual singer first joined The Voice UK when it launched on BBC One in 2012, sitting alongside will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue. He remained when the programme transferred to ITV in 2017 and became a firm favourite with audiences.
His sole absence came in 2016, when Boy George and Paloma Faith temporarily filled the chairs. Writing in his memoir, Sir Tom described himself as stunned — not by the replacement itself, but by the manner in which it was handled.
The upheaval extends beyond the coaching panel. Presenter Emma Willis is also departing after twelve years, having secured the main hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are reportedly being lined up as her replacements.
GB News has contacted ITV about the reports.
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