Sir Tom Jones has spoken out about his departure from The Voice UK, accusing BBC executives of "sub-standard behaviour" after he was dropped ahead of the fifth series.
The Welsh singer was one of the original coaches when the show launched on the BBC in 2012, joining the panel alongside will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue. He appeared for four consecutive seasons before being replaced by Boy George.
Angry response to axing
Sir Tom said he had been informed that he would not be returning without any prior consultation. He described the way his departure was handled as "very disappointing" and scathingly described the BBC as a "cold place".
The singer said he had spent the summer anticipating the show would be recommissioned, and had caught wind of rumours that Paloma Faith might replace then-judge Rita Ora, who had moved across to ITV's The X Factor.
Shock at the news
The Delilah singer described being left "shocked" by the news. In his 2016 autobiography Over The Top and Back, he wrote: "To say I was shocked is to put it mildly."
"But my shock wasn't about the fact they had replaced me. My shock was about the way they did it."
BBC defends decision
The BBC defended its decision, saying the final coaching line-up had only been decided the previous day and that Tom's team had been informed before the announcement was made public. It also stressed that Tom's contract had ended after the fourth series and had not been renewed.
Tom added that "nobody has the right to think of themselves as a permanent fixture", and when his management challenged the decision to axe the star, he claims BBC bosses simply responded by stating he was "out of contract".
He continued: "Indisputable as a bald statement of fact, I guess. But what a cold place the BBC is. Sometimes you wonder whether it is run by humans or a machine in the basement."
Return to The Voice
Tom "liked" watching The Voice itself, and following a one-series break, came back as a judge when the show transferred from BBC to ITV. He returned to The Voice UK for its 2026 series last week, joining fellow returning coaches will.i.am, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.
This year, the panel also welcomed new coach Kelly Rowland, who joined the ITV talent show after LeAnn Rimes' departure. Kelly rose to fame as a member of Destiny's Child before embarking on a successful solo career.
The Voice UK is on ITV1 on Saturdays and on ITVX as well as STV and STV Player.
