Sir Tom Jones has shared his thoughts on the changes to The Voice UK’s coaching line-up after Olly Murs and Anne-Marie were axed last year.
The Welsh singer, whose career began in the 1960s and has included hits like It’s Not Unusual, She’s A Lady and Sexbomb, has been a coach on the ITV reality singing series for most of its run since premiering in 2012.
However last year, both viewers and coaches Olly and Anne-Marie were left shocked last year when it was announced the pair wouldn’t return for the upcoming season, which starts next week.
Olly had acted as a coach since season 7 in 2014, while Anne-Marie joined in 2021’s season 10.
Last year Olly said he was ‘in shock’ and ‘gutted’ over being cut from the line-up, which also includes will.i.am.
Now, Sir Tom has spoken about the new group of coaches, which this season also comprises of LeeAnn Rimes and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.
‘Well, it’s interesting,’ he told Metro.co.uk and other media at the launch of the new season.
‘Again, that’s an exciting part. If it was the same coaches all the time it would get boring for the viewers, I think.
‘So, it’s nice to work with others,’ the 84-year-old added.
He continued: ‘So far so good. Everybody who has come on has fit in and they haven’t taken away. Personalities always come through, which is needed.’
In 2015, when The Voice still aired on BBC (it was picked up by ITV in 2017) Sir Tom was dumped, a decision he called ‘sub-standard behaviour’ at the time after he wasn’t consulted and informed his contract wasn’t being renewed just 24 hours before the official announcement.
Reflecting on that time, Sir Tom joked at the season 13 launch about once being ‘elbowed out’ of the show before returning a year later.
But after being on the show since the very beginning, Sir Tom said he had no intention of leaving it of his own accord going forward.
‘Well as long as they want me (I will stay),’ he said.
‘I mean I love doing it because I like helping singers. I would do it anyway. When young singers come up to me and ask a question, I will give them an answer.
‘If I have time, I will talk to them and share what I think they should do in order to go forward.’
Sir Tom went on to say that it was ‘a natural thing’ for him to give young singer’s advice and it was something he ‘loved’ doing.
He also said being on The Voice had helped him connect with younger fans who may not have been aware of him and his music if not for the reality show.
‘Some of those kids wouldn’t normally see me until their parents brought them to a show, but when they see me on The Voice, they might come and see my show,’ he said.
‘It’s a winning situation- I can tell other singers how I feel about them and help them and also get across to a lot of people I normally wouldn’t.’
The Voice returns on Saturday August 31 to ITV1.
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