Sir Tom Jones will reportedly not return to the popular reality show The Voice UK amid a major shake-up for the singing competition. The 86-year-old singer has been a staple of the UK take on the global series since it first began in 2012.
Of the 14 seasons that have aired, he has been a full-time member of the panel for 13 of them.
Reports of drop ahead of season 15
As per reports, the 'Sex Bomb' singer has been dropped ahead of production of season 15 which kicks off later this month.
“Everyone loves Sir Tom but there was a feeling that the upcoming series needed a major refresh,” an insider claimed, as per The Mirror.
“With Aitch and Cheryl coming on board and Kelly returning with Will.i.am, there just wasn’t a seat going.
“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,” they added to the Sun. "Sir Tom adores the show and finding new talent and still wanted to be involved."
ITV in talks with singer
While the 'It's Not Unusual' vocalist has not personally addressed rumours that he has been axed from the show, a source told the Mirror that “ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom".
The source added: "They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series."
Sir Tom missed series five, with Paloma Faith and Boy George briefly taking over. He was back in the spinning chairs the following year.
Past shock and new panel members
Detailing what went down in his memoir, entitled Over the Top and Back, Sir Tom confessed that he had been blindsided by his temporary axing. "To say I was shocked is to put it mildly," he wrote in his 2016 book.
"But my shock wasn't about the fact they had replaced me. My shock was about the way they did it."
While he did admit that "nobody has the right to think of themselves as a permanent fixture", Sir Tom added that his team had simply been told he was simply “out of contract”.
The panel shake up will become apparent come first auditions for this next season of The Voice, which is set to kick off soon.
Cheryl is thought to be joining Aitch as newcomers to the panel, a full decade after her stint on X Factor.
“Every year producers ask Cheryl to go on the show, and it’s a polite ‘no’ as the timing has never quite been right,” a source told the Sun last month. “This year it’s different. She feels ready to re-enter the spotlight and talks are now in the final stages.
“Things could come crashing down but with three weeks to go until filming kicks off, the production team is working on the assumption she will be doing it.
“It helps that long-term friend Will.i.am will be beside her on the panel.”
The musician began his singing career in the early 60s and hasn’t looked back since, dropping hits including It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat? Delilah and She’s a Lady since then.
