Sir Tom Jones may have closed the door on The Voice UK for good after reportedly turning down an offer to return in a reduced role following his departure from the coaching panel.

The 86-year-old Welsh music legend was recently left out of ITV’s plans for the upcoming series, with Cheryl Tweedy and Aitch joining the lineup. His exit sparked controversy after Jones publicly challenged the broadcaster’s explanation for the decision.

According to a report by The Sun, ITV had hoped to bring Jones back as a special guest judge. However, a source claimed that discussions had become difficult, with Jones and his team unhappy about how the situation unfolded. The report suggests that he has now declined the offer, meaning viewers should not expect a cameo in the next series.

Jones previously made clear that leaving the show was not his choice. In a statement shared on social media, he said he loved the programme and appreciated its audience, adding that ITV had made the decision some time before informing him.

The singer also addressed the reasons given for his departure. He said insurance difficulties had initially been cited, while ITV later described the new coaching lineup as a refresh of the format.

Jones revealed that he had been offered a significantly reduced role, which would have involved making an appearance without participating from the beginning of the competition. He admitted he was unhappy with the proposal and questioned the decision to remove him while he remained willing to continue working.

ITV previously said it had enjoyed working with Jones over nine years on the programme. The broadcaster also stated that conversations with the singer and his representatives about potential involvement in the next series were ongoing.

Jones has a long history with The Voice UK. The show launched on the BBC in 2012, with Jones among its original coaches. He was later replaced by Boy George for the fifth series before returning when the programme moved to ITV.

His connection to the format has remained strong over the years. In a 2024 appearance on The One Show, Jones described the role as the perfect job, explaining that he enjoyed discovering new singers and offering advice to emerging talent.

Meanwhile, the upcoming series could introduce another musical reunion. Following Kelly Rowland’s appearance as a coach, a source cited by Wales Online suggested that producers were hoping to bring Michelle Williams onto the programme for a possible Destiny’s Child reunion. This has not been officially confirmed.

For now, Jones’s reported decision marks another development in the fallout surrounding his departure. Neither ITV nor the singer’s representatives had publicly confirmed the reported rejection at the time of the original report.

Source: Compiled from various sources.