Will.i.am has thrown his support behind a campaign calling for Sir Tom Jones to return as a full-time judge on ITV's The Voice, amplifying a petition that has gathered tens of thousands of signatures worldwide.
The Welsh music legend, 86, announced earlier this month that ITV had removed him from his coaching role on the singing competition. According to reports on the decision, the broadcaster cited financial difficulties with insurance as the reason for his departure. ITV subsequently offered him a reduced role involving occasional appearances rather than full participation from the start of the series.
The petition, launched by superfan Aaron Howlett, 50, from Kingston-upon-Hull, has accumulated significant momentum. By 18 September, the petition had surpassed 51,000 signatures from supporters across the globe. Will.i.am, who has served as a coach alongside Sir Tom on the programme, collaborated on a Change.org Instagram post on 15 September to share Howlett's campaign, reportedly expressing his feelings with the message "I soo broken this… LOVE TOM SOOO MUCH!!!"
Howlett, who has been a devoted admirer of Sir Tom for four decades, explained his motivation for starting the petition during an appearance on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Wednesday. He described Sir Tom as
one of the last living legendswhose
voice resonates with so many people, young and old.
Howlett recounted meeting Sir Tom approximately ten years ago and finding him to be
incredibly humble.He emphasised that the singer's career remains central to his identity, stating:
If he stopped singing and performing, then he wouldn't be Sir Tom anymore. I think singing is Tom. He resonates from the inside and he becomes alive on stage.
To illustrate Sir Tom's continued vitality as a performer, Howlett referenced a recent concert in Milwaukee, USA, where the octogenarian
was given a standing ovation at 86.He added:
He rocked the crowd. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He still does it on the television, and he's the reason that most people watch The Voice.
Howlett expressed surprise at the overwhelming response to his petition, acknowledging that when he initiated it, he was uncertain whether
anybody [was] going to follow.He believes the other judges on The Voice regard Sir Tom with considerable respect, and that his presence significantly influences viewership.
Supporters of the campaign have shared their reasons for backing the petition. Alison from Peterborough commented:
I, like so many people, watch The Voice because of Sir Tom and will stop watching if he's not on it.Carmela from Montreal, Canada, shared a more personal perspective:
My mom passed away 3 years ago. On her death bed she had to watch Tom Jones on TV and on YouTube. Us Canadians love him. My mom and I went to see him in concert 3 times when he came to visit my city.
Sir Tom's History on The Voice
Sir Tom, from Treforest in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has been a fixture on The Voice UK since the programme's debut in 2012, making him one of its longest-serving coaches. Throughout his tenure, he has worked alongside numerous high-profile artists including Jessie J, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora, Kelly Rowland, and McFly members Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones. He has mentored three competitors who went on to win the competition.
In the most recent series, Sir Tom appeared as a coach alongside Kelly Rowland, will.i.am, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones. His performances on the show have continued to impress audiences; during a 2026 episode, his rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Tower of Song" drew a standing ovation from fellow coaches.
What Sir Tom Said About His Exit
In a social media statement released earlier this month, Sir Tom expressed frustration with ITV's proposal. He stated:
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.
ITV's Position and Future Plans
ITV has acknowledged Sir Tom's significant contribution to the programme. A spokesperson said:
We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK. While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series.The broadcaster added:
He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him.
However, ITV has announced a major coaching shake-up for The Voice UK, with Cheryl and Aitch set to replace Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher for series 15. Filming for the new series began in Manchester on Friday following the announcement of the judge changes.
What Happens Next
Series 15 of The Voice UK is scheduled to air in 2027. ITV has indicated it will continue discussions with Sir Tom and his team regarding any potential involvement he may have in the upcoming series, though the broadcaster has not confirmed whether he will return in any capacity.
