Sir Tom Jones Says He Was Dropped From The Voice UK Over ‘Financial Difficulty’ After 13 Seasons As A Coach

Sir Tom Jones has revealed that leaving The Voice UK was not his decision, saying he had wanted to continue as a coach but was told ITV would not bring him back to his familiar red chair for the show’s 15th season.

The 86-year-old Welsh singer, who has spent 13 seasons on the programme, addressed his departure directly after reports emerged of a major coaching-panel shake-up.

Jones said the explanation given to him involved a “financial difficulty with insurance.” He also revealed that discussions have taken place over a significantly smaller role in which he could still appear on the programme without participating as a full-time coach.

It is an arrangement he made clear he is not particularly enthusiastic about.

“There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job,” Jones wrote.

Tom Jones Says He ‘Did Not Want To Leave’

Jones addressed the situation in an Instagram statement on Tuesday, September 8, making clear that he had not voluntarily stepped away from the programme.

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” he wrote.

According to Jones, ITV had already made the decision some time before he was personally informed.

He continued: “They made the decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.”

Jones said the reason presented to him related to insurance costs.

“The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance,” he said.

He also referred to reports that producers were looking to “refresh” the programme with a different coaching lineup, saying that under those plans there would no longer be a full-time chair available for him.

A Smaller Role Has Been Discussed

Jones has not necessarily closed the door on The Voice UK completely.

According to the singer, he has been offered the possibility of returning in a reduced capacity.

“They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start,” he explained.

However, Jones immediately added: “I’m not thrilled about that.”

His comments suggest that the major point of contention is not simply whether he will appear on screen, but whether he will remain meaningfully involved in the competition as one of its coaches.

Jones ended his statement with a pointed observation about being removed after such a long association with the programme.

“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,” he wrote.

The Voice UK Says Talks With Jones Are Continuing

A representative for The Voice UK confirmed that Jones will not return as a full-time coach for Series 15 but indicated that discussions are continuing about another possible role.

“We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK,” a spokesperson told PEOPLE.

“Whilst 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.”

That leaves open the possibility that viewers could still see Jones when the programme returns, even though he will no longer occupy one of the main coaching chairs.

No final details about what that involvement could look like have been announced.

Jones Has Been Part Of The Show Since Its Beginning

Jones has one of the longest associations with The Voice UK.

He joined the programme when it launched in 2012 and has served as a coach for 13 seasons.

His tenure was interrupted only once, when he was absent from Season 5 before later returning to the panel.

Since then, his distinctive combination of experience, storytelling and musical knowledge has made him one of the show’s most recognizable figures.

His departure from the full-time lineup therefore represents one of the biggest changes to the programme in years.

Current Series Features Kelly Rowland And Will.i.am

The currently airing 14th season features Jones alongside will.i.am and Kelly Rowland.

McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones share another coaching position.

But reports indicate that the panel could look considerably different when Series 15 arrives.

The Sun has reported that Cheryl is being lined up to take Jones’ seat, while rapper Aitch is expected to replace Fletcher and Danny Jones.

ITV has not officially confirmed the Series 15 coaching lineup, meaning those reported appointments remain unconfirmed for now.

End Of An Era For One Of The Show’s Most Familiar Coaches

For Jones, the central point is that he was prepared to keep going.

Despite being 86, he says he still enjoys the programme and values its audience, making his removal from the full-time coaching panel something he clearly did not seek.

ITV’s position leaves a small possibility of continued involvement, but Jones’ comments suggest that an occasional appearance would be a considerable change after more than a decade spent mentoring contestants from one of the show’s famous red chairs.

Whether he ultimately accepts a reduced role remains to be seen.

What is already clear is that when The Voice UK begins its 15th season, one of the programme’s longest-serving coaches will no longer be there from the beginning — and according to Sir Tom Jones himself, that was the show’s decision, not his.