Tom Jones says he was fired from The Voice: ‘There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old’

The Voice coach says he didn't quit the show

The Welsh singer said he did not want to leave the show at all and that he "loves the show".

It was reportedly the broadcaster that made the decision to "fire" him from the judging panel after appearing as an on-off coach since the singing competition premiered in 2012.

Following rumours that he might not return to the panel for the upcoming series, Sir Tom said the broadcaster had decided a while ago and "I was told recently", as reported by the BBC.

What Tom Jones actually said

In a social media post, the star set out the explanation they gave him: "The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance.

"They now say in the press they wanted to 'refresh' the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn't be a chair for me.

"They are offering a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I'm not thrilled about that."

The singer said that "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."

ITV, for its part, says talks are ongoing

ITV has been asked to comments as the Press Association reported that a source at the show was "hopeful" the singer would return for its upcoming series, with the programme's 2027 run due to begin production soon.

A show insider told PA: "ITV absolutely loves working with Sir Tom. They are in talks with him and are hopeful he will return to the series."

So to recap: fired, but possibly not fired, a perfect mix and the sort of limbo that tends to get resolved in public.

Fourteen years, three winners

In the most recent series of The Voice UK, Sir Tom featured as a coach alongside McFly stars Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, as well as US rapper Will.i.am and Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland.

Over his tenure he has sat beside Jessie J, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue and Rita Ora.

He has mentored three winners: Leanne Mitchell in series one, Ruti Olajugbagbe in series seven and Anthonia Edwards in series 11.

Not bad for a man whose day job never needed a Saturday night talent show in the first place.

Tom Jones' career has stretched across six decades, producing Green Green Grass of Home and What's New Pussycat?

It has been a strange stretch for British music's elder statesmen, between Paul Heaton scoring his first solo number one and the death of Rocky Horror star Tim Curry at 80.

Tom Jones, however, seems in no mood to go quietly.