Will.i.am backs petition for Tom Jones to return to The Voice

Will.i.am backs petition for Tom Jones to return to The Voice

Over 63,000 people have signed the petition, started by superfan Aaron Howlett, 50, from Kingston-upon-Hull.

Sir Tom, from Treforest, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has appeared as an on-off coach on the singing competition since it launched in 2012.

ITV had thanked him for the "countless incredible and unforgettable moments" he gave the show.

However, it didn't sit right with co-judge, Will.i.am, who stood alongside Sir Tom on the show, sharing Howlett's petition in a Change.org post on Instagram on 15 September.

Why fans want Tom Jones back on The Voice

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Howlett, a fan of Sir Tom for four decades, said he was "overwhelmed" by the response, having been unsure when he started the petition "if anybody was going to follow".

"Sir Tom is one of the last living legends," he said.

"His voice resonates with so many people, young and old. If he stopped singing and performing, then he wouldn't be Sir Tom anymore."

Howlett, who met Sir Tom a decade ago and found him "incredibly humble", pointed to a recent show in Milwaukee where the singer "was given a standing ovation at 86".

"He rocked the crowd. He had the crowd in the palm of his hand. He still does it on the television, and he's the reason that most people watch The Voice," he said.

A spokesperson for the show said: "While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series."