Sir Tom Jones claims he has been “fired” from ITV show The Voice, but the Welsh superstar previously defended the show against a common complaint despite being axed
Sir Tom Jones defended The Voice against a common criticism (Image: ITV)
Music icon Sir Tom Jones defended The Voice even after he was axed from the show. The Welsh crooner has apparently left the talent show after 13 years in a huge shake-up.
This marks the second time that the Treforest-born singer has left the programme, though. He originally starred as a judge on the show when it was produced by the BBC, from 2012 to 2015. His first stint on the show ended when his contract was not renewed and he was replaced by Boy George.
After a year off he returned to the programme in 2017, with The Voice now airing on ITV. The Sex Bomb singer, 86, has been an almost constant of the signing competition since its inauguration in 2012. He has been a full-time member of the panel for 13 of the 14 seasons that have aired.
Despite his original axing, back in 2015, Sir Tom still defended the show over a common criticism. Compared to those who have triumphed in the X Factor, winners of The Voice have been unsuccessful in their subsequent careers.
But writing in his autobiography, Over the Top and Back – originally published in October 2015 – Sir Tom defended the show.
He said: “People snipe at the fact that the show hasn’t yet produced a recording star. To make it as a recording artist, you don’t just need a voice, you need great material, self-confidence and steely determination. And in any case, it’s a singing contest. If you win it, you win it.”
Sir Tom spoke about his departure from The Voice today (Tuesday, September 8), with some factors mirroring his original exit back in 2015. He insisted the decision was made by ITV themselves.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision – obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently. The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance.
“They now say in the press they wanted to ‘refresh’ the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn’t be a chair for me. They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I’m not thrilled about that.
“So the only thing I know right now, is that there’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”
Cheryl and Aitch are reportedly joining Kelly Rowland and Will.I.Am as coaches. Sir Tom said a similar thing happened when he left the BBC version of the show.
Writing in his autobiography, he said: “We finished the fourth series at the beginning of April 2015. Everyone seemed pleased with how it had gone and we all happily said goodbye and went off to do our various things.
“I assumed I’d be back to start filming in the autumn. There was no particular reason to think otherwise – even when the summer wore on without anyone from the BBC getting in touch. My contract with the show was always series to series.
“So, in August 2015, with a month to go before the show went into production, when the call finally came in from the BBC, I assumed it was going to be about who was joining the show.
“In fact, what the BBC told Mark was, ‘We’ve made out choices and there will be two changes and Tom won’t be invited back.’ The replacements were already signed up – Paloma Faith in for Rita, Boy George in for me – meaning the BBC had been working on this for some time.”
Despite this Sir Tom said he still liked the show and wished it well.
An ITV source said: “ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom. They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series.” ITV has been contacted for comment.
