‘There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who is good at his job,’ wrote Sir Tom Jones, confirming his exit from The Voice UK after the end of the current series because, according to him, ITV has shown him the door.
In a refreshingly candid statement that was light on corporate speak and heavy on justifiable anger, one of the world’s greatest living legends let rip at the channel.
His evident heartbreak and anger seeped through each word – and rightly so.
In all honesty, I’m surprised the show is still going at all but making Sir Tom the sacrificial lamb to revive interest in it feels like a colossal mistake.
And it could prove fatal.
The Voice UK’s ratings have plummeted since it first launched on the BBC in 2012, when it easily attracted around 8 million viewers per episode.
These days it’s lucky to lure in more than a quarter of that. It’s never produced any stars, with the exception of series 1 semifinalist Becky Hill, who arguably found success despite The Voice rather than because of it.
And there’s the judging panel, which fittingly rotates as frequently as their red spinning chairs, and each time The Voice UK feels more exhausted.
But there has been one constant thread which has lended the show some credibility: Sir Tom Jones (who has only missed one season) and will.i.am (who hasn’t missed any) – an unlikely but enduring double act that has likely kept the show alive.
Across the pond, The Voice has always been a much bigger hit with viewers, even if, like here, it’s failed to find anyone to light up the charts.
It’s about to go into its 30th season, this time with Adam Levine, Kelly Clarkson, Queen Latifah, and Riley Green – a panel of undeniably legendary status, and that’s the one consistent thread through every rotation.
Here in the UK, Sir Tom Jones is the only British star on the panel giving it any real credibility.
At 86, he’s still one of the most successful artists in the world, and if there’s anyone with the credentials to judge singing talent, it’s him.
He’s a diamond that is just getting increasingly rare and should be celebrated as much as possible – which is exactly why The Voice UK was perfect for him and the viewers who have stuck by since the beginning.
Instead, he’s tipped to be replaced by X Factor icon Cheryl and I’m A Celebrity finalist Aitch, and as his statement makes clear, this is no mutual parting of the ways, but an unceremonious sacking.
Bringing Cheryl back onto reality TV is a stroke of genius I can fully get behind, and reuniting her with will.i.am could even lure her back into the recording studio, where together they once made pop magic.
But there’s still a distinct lack of star power.
Olly Murs, Anne-Marie, McFly’s Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher are all hugely successful artists, but to me they don’t quite capture the essence of a real legend or an artist whose opinion I’d ever really care about.
Aitch might be current and hugely popular in the jungle, but I’m not sure he has earned a spot in a swinging red chair which has been occupied by some of the biggest artists of all time throughout the years.
It’s been a long time since I invested in a series of The Voice UK – the last being when Liberty X’s Kevin Simm was crowned champion, with will.i.am, Paloma Faith, Boy George, and Ricky Wilson (who was then still somewhat relevant) on the panel.
It was a panel worth listening to, with a genuine ear for talent – watching a noughties pop star given a lifeline, and showing he had more in him than anyone ever gave him credit for, was genuinely unmissable television.
A decade later, the show has lost its purpose, its panels losing credibility with each rotation.
Getting rid of Sir Tom doesn’t solve this problem, it exacerbates things.
He was the last reason for older generations to bother tuning in – and the final shot the show has to credibly claim to be a world-class singing contest.
Kelly Rowland, already confirmed for the new line-up, has already gone down well with audiences following her first two episodes here.
But beyond her, no one on the rumoured series 15 panel will.i.am, Cheryl, and Aitch is renowned for vocal prowess like sir Tom is.
Unlike its rival The X Factor, The Voice has largely steered clear of controversy – its contestants may not have a career at the end of it, but few, if any, have been diagnosed with PTSD either.
It’s always been kind where so many shows like it have thrived on being anything but. It was always about the talent, never the drama.
That’s why I hope there’s still a place for The Voice UK, but without Sir Tom Jones, it’s crying out for an artist of his stature, legacy, and talent to fill his swinging seat.
If ITV wants to salvage its woeful Saturday night ratings, which earlier this year sank to an all-time low across all channels, getting rid of Sir Tom Jones, especially in this manner, isn’t the answer.
If anything, it feels as though The Voice UK is out of oomph and is instead needlessly sacrificing one of its greatest talents to cover its lack of ideas.
Without its greatest voice, why why why should we tune in?
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