Tom Jones Says He Was Fired From ‘The Voice UK’ Over Insurance Costs

Sir Tom Jones has broken his silence over his shock departure from The Voice UK, insisting he didn’t want to leave the show and blaming ITV’s financial concerns about insurance costs. The 86-year-old Welsh music legend took to Instagram to address rumors that he would not be returning to his red chair on the ITV singing competition, making clear the decision was not his own.

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

According to Jones, ITV reached the decision some time ago but only recently told him about it. The broadcaster, he claims, pointed to “financial difficulty with insurance” as a key reason for changing his role on the show.

The veteran performer also revealed he was offered a dramatically scaled-back position for the upcoming season. Under the proposal, he would have appeared later in the competition but wouldn’t have worked with contestants from the start.

Jones wasn’t happy with the arrangement and turned it down. His comments follow reports that ITV wants to refresh the coaching lineup for the next series of the long-running talent show. Jones ended his post with a cutting observation about his age and continued relevance to the program.

“There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job,” he wrote a clear indication he remains confident in his abilities despite ITV’s decision. The comments have triggered widespread support from fans and fellow musicians, many praising Jones’ years of service on the show.

Jones has been synonymous with The Voice UK since it launched in 2012, serving as one of the original coaches. Although he stepped away during the show’s BBC years, he returned when it moved to ITV and became one of its most recognizable figures. His exit marks a major shift for the competition, particularly given his long association with both the program and its contestants.

The broadcaster is reportedly planning a substantial overhaul of The Voice UK’s coaching lineup for the next season. Rapper Aitch and former Girls Aloud member Cheryl are said to be joining the panel, while will.i.am and Kelly Rowland are expected to return. There’s also been a behind-the-scenes shuffle, with reports that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will take over presenting duties.

Despite the changes, an ITV source reportedly said the broadcaster remains interested in keeping Jones involved with the program in some form. One report suggested he could potentially return as a “super mentor” later in the competition. For now, though, Jones’ own words suggest he considers himself out of the full-time coaching role.

The situation underscores the complex balance between production costs, insurance liabilities, and retaining veteran talent on television. For The Voice UK, losing one of its longest-serving coaches represents a significant turning point as the show heads into a new era.