The Voice UK plagued by toxic in-fighting, ‘fix’ accusations and a never-ending parade of coaches – as Tom Jones’ sacking is another bum note for struggling show
Sir Tom Jones has hit out at The Voice UK's producers after being dropped from the show, saying he did not want to leave and questioning the timing of a decision to sack an "86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job". The shake-up, which reportedly also sees McFly's Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher exit while Cheryl and Aitch are tipped to join the panel, has raised eyebrows because it comes just as filming for the next series is due to begin, even though the current pre-recorded season is still airing weekly on ITV.
The departure is the latest setback for a show that launched on the BBC in 2012 with average audiences of over seven million but has since slid to a record-low series 14 launch of just 1.9 million viewers. It has weathered controversies before, including 139 Ofcom complaints over host Holly Willoughby's outfit at the season two finale, and has cycled through 18 coaches across its run, with Jones himself twice leaving and returning amid a near-constant reshuffling of the judging panel.
- Tom Jones claims he was unfairly sacked from The Voice UK
- Cheryl and Aitch tipped to replace him and McFly's duo
- Show's ratings have slumped to a record-low 1.9 million launch
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Sir Tom Jones has been dropped from The Voice UK, one of the show's original coaches since it launched in 2012, in a wider shake-up of the celebrity judging panel. He says the decision was not his choice and has questioned why it happened just as the next series was about to start filming, even though the current series is still being broadcast. Reports suggest McFly's Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher are also leaving, with Cheryl and Aitch tipped to take their places.
The Voice UK is a singing competition in which celebrity coaches mentor contestants and compete to find the best act. It began on the BBC before moving to ITV, and has always relied heavily on its panel of famous judges to draw viewers. Turnover among those coaches has been frequent, with 18 having appeared on the show over the years, including Jones leaving and returning twice before.
The programme's viewing figures have fallen sharply since its launch, from over seven million average viewers in its first series to a record low of 1.9 million for the start of its most recent one. It has also faced other controversies during its run, such as complaints to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom over a presenter's outfit. This context of declining popularity and past disputes is why changes to the judging panel tend to attract attention.