ITV has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of The Voice UK, with Girls Aloud’s Cheryl and Manchester rapper Aitch confirmed as new additions to the coaching lineup.
The pair will take their seats alongside Will.i.am and Kelly Rowland, who both return for the fifteenth series.
Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon have also been announced as the programme’s new presenters, forming a fresh hosting duo for the talent competition.
The broadcaster confirmed the shake-up on Friday, marking one of the most significant changes to the show’s format in recent years.
Tom Jones and will.i.am have starred on The Voice UK since 2012 |
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With four new faces across the coaching and presenting roles, the revamped series represents a bold new direction for the long-running singing contest, which is set to air in 2027.
The new coaches step in for Sir Tom Jones, McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, all of whom are departing the programme.
Sir Tom, now 86, has been a fixture of The Voice UK on and off since the show first launched on BBC One in 2012, though his tenure has not been without interruption, he was previously dropped ahead of the fifth series in 2016, when he accused the BBC of “sub-standard behaviour” for giving him just 24 hours’ notice.
Emma Willis is also leaving the presenter’s chair, with her exit coming as she takes on hosting duties for the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Stacey Solomon has been confirmed as a new The Voice judge
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GETTYITV expressed gratitude to Ms Willis, Mr Fletcher and Danny Jones for their contributions, wishing all three well for the future.
Sir Tom made his feelings about the departure clear in an Instagram statement posted on Tuesday. “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,” he wrote.
He revealed that the explanation offered to him centred on “a financial difficulty with insurance.”
Sir Tom Jones will not be returning to The Voice as a judge | ITV The veteran singer added that the broadcaster had subsequently shifted its public reasoning, saying they wished to refresh the programme.
“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 with a characteristically sharp observation: “There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”
ITV described Sir Tom as “irreplaceable” in its own statement, thanking him for the “countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show” during his years on the programme.
Cheryl Tweedy is joining the next series of The Voice UK
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PAA spokesperson for the show told PA: “We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK.
While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series.”
The fifteenth series is scheduled for broadcast in 2027, with ITV having held the rights to the format since its sixth run after acquiring them from BBC One.
Meanwhile, the current series continues tomorrow evening at 7pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
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