Tom Jones, 86, insists he 'did not want to leave The Voice' as he hits out at ITV and says 'they made this decision' due to 'financial difficulty' after 13 years on the judging panel

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 07:29 EDT, 8 September 2026 | Updated: 07:51 EDT, 8 September 2026 Sir Tom Jones has insisted he 'did not want to leave The Voice', hitting out at ITV in a furious statement. Insiders revealed on Monday that the show was going through a massive shakeup, and Tom would be stepping down from his role as judge after 13 years.The music legend, 86, has now insisted it was not his decision to leave and has said ITV 'fired' him 'because of a financial difficulty with insurance.''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.' Sir Tom wrote in a post shared to his Instagram and Facebook pages.'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.' Sir Tom Jones has insisted he 'did not want to leave The Voice' after only being told about ITV's decision 'recently' 'To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice ... ITV made this decision and I was told just recently.' Sir Tom wrote in a post shared to his Instagram and Facebook pagesHe added 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. Representatives for The Voice have been contacted by Daily Mail for comment. Insiders revealed on Monday that the show was keen to refresh the coaching panel, which in the series which is airing currently sees Tom sit alongside Kelly Rowland and will.i.am and duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones from McFly.But ITV pushed back against suggestions that Tom's departure was a done deal on Monday with a show insider then 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.'Producers are reportedly in talks to bring Cheryl and Aitch on board for a 2027 series, which begins filming in a matter of weeks.The show are also said to be keen to keep hold of Kelly, who made her debut on the show this year, and will.i.am, who has been on the show since its debut series alongside Tom.With the four red chairs filled, there would be no room for Tom. Insiders revealed on Monday that the show was keen to refresh the coaching panel, which in the series which is airing currently sees Tom sit alongside Kelly Rowland and will.i.am and duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones from McFlyIf former X Factor judge Cheryl, 43, does join the ITV show, she would join her longtime pal will.i.am, 51, as a coach. Rapper Aitch, 26, meanwhile has been the frontrunner to replace McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher who have already announced that they are leaving the show. There are also reports that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are set to replace departing host Emma Willis, who is the new lead presenter on BBC rival show Strictly. Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge Cheryl, 43, has not been on primetime TV in six years, with her last TV outing seeing her as a dance captain on BBC's The Greatest Dancer in 2020.However, it is now said she's been in talks with show bosses 'for months', with filming for the new series kicking off on September 11 in Manchester.