The Voice UK will not air in its usual Saturday night slot on ITV1 this evening (Saturday, September 26). The latest Blind Auditions episode of the fourteenth series has been pulled from the broadcaster's schedule, with ITV1 instead airing the UEFA Nations League match between England and Spain.
Schedule shake-up and coaching changes
The singing competition typically airs on Saturday nights, but fans will have to wait an extra week to find out which hopefuls make Sir Tom Jones, Kelly Rowland, will.i.am, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher turn in the famous red chairs.
It has been confirmed that Welsh legend Sir Tom will not be returning to The Voice UK as a coach next year. The beloved 86-year-old singer has featured as an on-and-off coach on the competition since its launch in 2012, but recent reports indicated his position on the programme was under threat following a shake-up behind the scenes.
Sir Tom's response and ITV's statement
After speculation emerged that he might not return for the 2027 series, Sir Tom revealed he was "not thrilled" about what ITV had offered him in lieu of his coaching role, and claimed the broadcaster had "made the decision" to "fire" him.
Following Sir Tom's public response, a programme spokesperson stated: "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."
It was subsequently revealed that Girls Aloud star Cheryl has joined the coaching panel for the forthcoming series, alongside Manchester rapper and fellow newcomer Aitch. The pair will fill the void left by Sir Tom, as well as Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, joining returning coaches Kelly Rowland and will.i.am.
Petition for Sir Tom's return
At the time of the announcement, a spokesperson said: "ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show. He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him."
"We also thank Emma Willis, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones for their brilliant contributions, and who all brought so much dedication, expertise and energy to The Voice UK and wish them the very best of luck as they embark on their next chapters."
Following these alterations, Sir Tom's supporters have united and launched a Change.org petition calling for his return to the programme for the forthcoming series. The petition's creator argues that his "presence has been integral to the chemistry and success of the programme" and that removing him from the coaching panel "has not only disappointed millions of his fans but has also deprived aspiring singers of the chance to be guided by someone of his stature and expertise."
They further state that: "Bringing back Sir Tom to The Voice UK will not just honour his contributions but will also resonate with the fans' desire for an authentic and enriching viewing experience. The mentoring and nurturing environment Sir Tom provides is unparalleled and essential to maintaining the core values of the show."
At the time of publication, the petition had accumulated over 63,600 signatures and featured hundreds of messages from supporters expressing their admiration for Sir Tom. The Voice UK returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Saturday, October 3 at 8.50pm.
