The Voice UK coach Will.i.am is reportedly ‘fuming’ over ITV’s handling of Sir Tom Jones’ departure from the show.
The 86-year-old singer has served as an on-off coach on the show since its 2012 debut and has made it clear that he did not want to leave the programme, but a decision was made due to a ‘financial difficulty with insurance’.
Cheryl is said to be the famous face taking up Sir Tom’s spare seat on the show, in what would be her primetime TV return, after a long-running stint as a coach on The X Factor.
But it has now been reported that the atmosphere behind the scenes is set to be frosty, after Sir Tom was only let go in recent days and claimed online that the broadcaster sacked him.
Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am is now the only coach remaining from the original line-up on the show and was clearly close to Sir Tom, often joking around with him while filming.
The Sun has reported that The Voice UK typically puts on welcome drinks for the celebrity judging panel, but that this has been nixed, and the new line-up is said to be facing a full first day of filming today.
![From Lifted Entertainment The Voice UK: SR9 on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: SR. TOM JONES, DANNY JONES, KELLY ROWLAND, WILL.I.AM, TOM FLETCHER. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For more information please contact liberty.warner@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SEI_307606522-6402.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A source told the publication: ‘Welcome drinks are usually put on by ITV at a top five-star hotel and it’s a nice way for everyone to meet before filming. But not this year.
‘It’s seriously awkward as Will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes.
‘Last weekend Sir Tom was packing his bags for the judges’ meeting, now he’s been dropped. How he’s been treated is awful.’
It had previously been reported that ITV was ‘plotting’ a way for Sir Tom to be involved with the programme regardless, but in an explosive statement posted to X he appeared to throw cold water on the plans this week.
Sir Tom said he was ‘not thrilled’ about what ITV offered him instead of being a coach, writing: ‘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.
‘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.
‘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.’
Metro contacted ITV and Will.i.am’s representative for comment on this story.