Will.i.am is reportedly furious with ITV over the broadcaster's decision to drop Sir Tom Jones from The Voice UK's judging panel, with sources describing the atmosphere on set as "seriously awkward" as filming got under way this week. Will.i.am and Jones, 86, were the only two coaches left from the show's original line-up.
Filming for the next series began on Friday, with singer Cheryl, 43, and rapper Aitch, 26, joining Kelly Rowland, 45, and will.i.am on the panel for the 2027 series.
A source said that while filming is normally kicked off with welcome drinks at a five-star hotel, this year things were different. "It's seriously awkward as will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes," the source said.
The source told The Sun that the situation was uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close to will.i.am and has looked up to Rowland throughout her career. "This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom's seat. None of this is her fault, it's been handled atrociously by the bosses," the source said. The Daily Mail has contacted will.i.am and ITV representatives for comment.
Sir Tom Jones speaks out
On Tuesday, Jones insisted he "did not want to leave The Voice" in a furious statement posted to Instagram. "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," he wrote.
"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," he continued, adding that ITV had offered him "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," Jones wrote.
ITV responds to the criticism
An ITV spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "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."
Series 14 of The Voice, which is currently airing on ITV, has been delayed twice due to scheduling changes. Filming for its pre-recorded auditions took place in the first half of 2024, meaning there will have been a two-year gap by the time the live finals air in a few weeks. It has not been confirmed whether Jones will appear in the live finale.
On Monday, an ITV insider pushed back on suggestions that Jones's departure was already settled, telling 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." It was also reported this week that producers had been in last-minute talks to bring in Cheryl and Aitch as part of a refresh of the coaching panel, according to an insider. ITV is said to be keen to keep Rowland, who made her debut on the show this year, and will.i.am, who has coached since the first series alongside Jones, meaning the four red chairs would leave no room for Jones.
Jones's history with the BBC
This is not the first time Jones has lost his seat on The Voice. He was cast as a judge when the show launched on the BBC in 2012 but was dropped in 2015 and replaced by Boy George. He criticised the broadcaster at the time, claiming there had been "no consultation or conversation of any kind" and writing on Facebook that "this substandard behaviour from the executives is very disappointing."
Speaking to the Radio Times afterwards, the Sex Bomb singer said he had been left incredibly angry by the BBC's decision. "I was p****d off. I never got to the bottom of who made the decision," he said, adding: "Well of course, that's a kick in the b******s." Jones said he later felt some satisfaction when ratings for the show fell in the following series. He returned as a coach when The Voice moved to ITV in 2017. In total, the singing competition has had 11 celebrity coaches across its 14-year run.
Fans react to the sacking
Fans reacted with dismay to the news of Jones's exit. One Instagram user wrote: "You are the reason people watch this programme, Sir Tom. You are the Voice. Always have been, always will be. I won't watch it if you aren't on it. Judging by other comments on social media, so many others feel the same. It's a stupid decision they will regret!"
Presenter Carol Vorderman also commented, calling it a "terrible decision imho" and adding: "I saw you perform at Car Fest and you remain simply incredible and A LEGEND You ARE The Voice." Singer Karl Loxley, who was part of Jones's team on the 2015 series, wrote: "The best thing about being on The Voice was getting the chance to work with you. An absolute legend and a true gentleman. The Voice won't be the same without you."
A changing coaching line-up
Aitch has emerged as the front-runner to replace McFly bandmates Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, who have already announced they are leaving the show. There are also reports that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are set to replace outgoing host Emma Willis, who is becoming the new lead presenter on BBC rival show Strictly Come Dancing.
Cheryl, the former Girls Aloud singer and X Factor judge, has not appeared on primetime television in six years, with her last outing as a dance captain on the BBC's The Greatest Dancer in 2020. She is said to have been in talks with show bosses for months, with filming for the new series beginning on 11 September in Manchester. The Voice attracts roughly two million viewers a week on ITV and has helped launch the career of singer Becky Hill.
