The announcement comes after reports surfaced that the 86-year-old Welsh singing legend would not return as a full-time coach for the next series of the ITV talent show.
In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, September 8, Sir Tom said the decision was not his and described it as “never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job”.
Sir Tom said on social media: “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.”
He said ITV had not confirmed that reasoning publicly.
Sir Tom also addressed reports that the show planned to change its coaching line-up.
He said: “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 said he had been offered a “much-reduced role” on the programme.
He said: “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.”
He ended his statement by saying: “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.”
Despite his comments, a source connected with the programme said ITV remained in discussions with him and hoped he would still have some involvement in the forthcoming series.
No final details of any alternative role have been announced.
Sir Tom has been a coach on The Voice UK since it launched on the BBC in 2012.
He appeared on the first three series, missed the 2016 edition, and returned when the show moved to ITV in 2017.
During his time on the show, he coached three winners: Leanne Mitchell, Ruti Olajugbagbe, and Anthonia Edwards.
He currently appears on the ongoing series alongside will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, who share a double chair.
The current series continues on Saturday evenings, so viewers will still see Sir Tom on screen for the time being.
