Music legend Sir Tom Jones is set to leave his role as a full-time coach on The Voice UK after more than a decade on the popular singing competition, as ITV prepares for a major overhaul of the programme’s judging panel.

The 86-year-old Welsh superstar, who has been one of the most recognisable faces of the show since it first launched in 2012, will no longer occupy one of the famous red chairs or lead his own team of aspiring singers in the upcoming series.

However, sources close to the production have indicated that ITV is keen to maintain a connection with the legendary performer and is exploring options for him to appear on the programme in a different role. Executives are reportedly keen to find a way to keep Sir Tom involved because of his long-standing relationship with the show and his passion for discovering new musical talent.

A source explained that while the decision was part of a wider attempt to refresh the series, Sir Tom remains highly respected within the production team. The insider said that the changes were not made because of any lack of appreciation for the singer, but rather because producers wanted to introduce a new direction for the next chapter of the programme.

The upcoming series will feature several major changes, including the arrival of rapper Aitch, who is expected to replace one of the departing McFly coaches. The band members Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher will no longer return to the coaching line-up after their time on the show.

Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl is also preparing for a high-profile return to British primetime television, joining the coaching panel after several years away from regular TV appearances. Meanwhile, will.i.am will continue his long-running association with the programme, and Kelly Rowland is set to return for another series following her recent appearance as a coach.

With the new additions arriving, ITV reportedly felt there was limited space available on the panel while trying to create a fresh balance of personalities and musical styles. Despite this, discussions are believed to be continuing about how Sir Tom could contribute to the show in a smaller but meaningful capacity.

The singer has been an important part of The Voice UK since its beginning, helping mentor contestants and becoming a fan favourite thanks to his decades of experience in the music industry. He coached the winner of the first series, Leanne Mitchell, and later helped guide other successful performers during his time on the programme.

Alongside the coaching changes, the show will also welcome new presenters. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are expected to take over hosting duties, replacing Emma Willis, who is moving on to a new role presenting Strictly Come Dancing for the BBC.

Despite being on television for around 15 years, The Voice UK remains one of ITV’s key entertainment programmes, continuing to attract millions of viewers. However, unlike some previous talent competitions, the series has produced relatively few major mainstream stars.

The biggest success story from the show remains Becky Hill, who appeared during the first series in 2012. Although she did not win the competition, she went on to achieve significant success in the music industry, earning numerous chart hits in the UK.

Filming for the next series is expected to begin in Manchester, with the revamped version of The Voice UK scheduled to air the following year. While Sir Tom Jones may no longer be a permanent fixture in the iconic red chair, ITV’s efforts to keep him involved suggest that his influence on the programme is far from over.