Sir Tom Jones has stepped down as a full-time coach on The Voice UK after 13 years, with ITV bosses planning a major coaching line-up refresh for the upcoming series. The 86-year-old music legend is in talks with producers to potentially return in a different capacity later in the programme.
The departure of Sir Tom Jones marks a major turning point for The Voice UK, bringing an end to a coaching tenure that began when the singing competition launched on television screens in 2012. While network executives intend to keep the legendary Welsh singer involved, the upcoming series will introduce a completely overhauled coaching panel and behind-the-scenes presenting team.
Behind the Coaching Panel Shake-Up and the Search for a Refresh
Network insiders pointed to a desire for creative renewal as the primary driver behind the sudden shift. Although the 86-year-old singer remains deeply popular with production staff, producers felt the format required substantial reinvention.
‘Everyone loves Sir Tom but there was a feeling that the upcoming series needed a major refresh. With Aitch and Cheryl coming on board and Kelly returning with will.i.am, there just wasn’t a seat going.’
A source told The Sun
Despite his exit from the primary red chairs, negotiations remain active between the network and the singer’s camp. ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom, according to a network production source, and discussions are ongoing regarding how he might feature later in the competition in a smaller capacity. A show source told the Daily Mail: ‘ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom. They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series.’ Sir Tom adores the show and finding new talent and still wanted to be involved.
Incoming Coaches and Presenter Changes for the New Series
The coaching line-up will undergo a radical transformation alongside the departure of the McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher. Rapper Aitch is heavily rumored to join the panel alongside returning veterans Kelly Rowland and will.i.am, who has held his coaching seat since the show’s 2012 inception on BBC One. Kelly Rowland is set to return for a second series after making her debut in the current series.
The most anticipated addition to the panel is the return of former Girls Aloud star Cheryl. The 43-year-old singer and former X Factor judge has spent six years away from primetime television, with her last TV outing seeing her as a dance captain on BBC’s The Greatest Dancer back in 2020. Production insiders revealed that talks with Cheryl have been underway for months, with producers operating on the assumption that she will take her seat as filming approaches. A source told The Sun: ‘Every year producers ask Cheryl to go on the show, and it’s a polite “no” as the timing has never quite been right. This year it’s different. She feels ready to re-enter the spotlight and talks are now in the final stages.’ The insider continued: ‘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.’
Beyond the coaches, the programme is introducing a brand-new hosting duo. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are stepping in to replace Emma Willis, who has departed the singing competition to co-host Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC alongside Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
Tight Timelines and Production Preparations
Production schedules leave little room for hesitation. Filming for the brand-new series is scheduled to kick off in Manchester on Friday, with the broadcast expected to hit television screens next year. With the production team working under a strict countdown to the studio floor, the final pieces of one of British television’s most dramatic panel overhauls are rapidly falling into place. The ITV series attracts roughly two million viewers per week and boasts Becky Hill among some of its success stories.
