Will.i.am has publicly endorsed a global campaign calling for Sir Tom Jones to return to ITV’s The Voice UK, amplifying viewer backlash against the broadcaster’s decision to drop the veteran singer as a full-time coach ahead of the 2027 series.
The Petition and Will.i.am’s Endorsement
The grassroots campaign was started by 50-year-old superfan Aaron Howlett from Kingston-upon-Hull, who has followed Sir Tom for four decades. According to Howlett’s interview on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, he met the singer a decade ago and found him remarkably humble. Howlett noted that Sir Tom’s voice continues to resonate across generations, pointing to a recent live performance in Milwaukee, USA, where the octogenarian received a standing ovation. On September 15, US rapper and producer will.i.am—who has coached alongside Sir Tom on the show—collaborated on a Change.org Instagram post sharing Howlett’s petition, adding the emotional caption, “I soo broken this… LOVE TOM SOOO MUCH!!!”
Broadcaster Decisions and the Reduced Role Offer
Sir Tom Jones has served as an on-off coach on The Voice UK since the singing competition premiered in 2012, mentoring three winning contestants during his tenure. Rather than retaining his permanent red chair, ITV offered the singer a reduced, occasional appearance role. Sir Tom rejected the compromise in a social media statement published earlier this month, stating that the network offered a much-reduced role without full involvement from the start. “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,” the singer remarked.
Network Response and International Fan Reaction
An ITV spokesperson thanked Sir Tom for his nine years on the show, citing the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he provided to audiences and competing artists. Despite the friction over his full-time departure, the network stated that production teams remain in talks with Sir Tom and his team regarding his potential involvement in the upcoming series. Meanwhile, international fans have flooded online platforms with support. Carmela, a supporter from Montreal, Canada, shared with Yahoo that her late mother watched Sir Tom on television and YouTube during her final days after attending three of his live concerts.
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