Welsh music legend Sir Tom Jones has spoken out following his unexpected departure from The Voice UK, revealing that he did not choose to leave his iconic red chair. The 86-year-old singer, who had been a cornerstone of the talent competition since its 2012 debut, confirmed that broadcaster ITV made the decision to move forward without him as a full-time coach for Series 15.

The news stands in stark contrast to sentiments the veteran artist shared ahead of the show’s 2024 return, where he expressed a desire to remain on the panel for as long as he was alive and welcomed by viewers. At the time, Sir Tom was preparing for his 12th series—having only missed Series 5—and actively suggested format improvements, such as giving coaches more workshop time to mentor contestants.

Addressing reports on September 8, 2026, Sir Tom made his position clear:

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience.”

According to the singer, ITV initially cited financial difficulties related to insurance before framing the transition as a desire to refresh the programme. Sir Tom revealed he was offered a significantly scaled-back role rather than a full coaching slot, an arrangement he declined, concluding his statement with a characteristically candid remark:

“There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”

In response, ITV praised Sir Tom for the joy he brought to singers and audiences over more than a decade, confirming that while he will not return as a full-time coach, discussions regarding potential future involvement remain open. The upcoming Series 15 lineup will feature will.i.am, returning coach Kelly Rowland, and newcomers Cheryl and Aitch, alongside new hosts Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon.

Source: Compiled from various sources.