Tom Jones claims victory during final appearance on The Voice as viewers declare they won't tune in again after judge was brutally axed following 13 years on the ITV show

Tom Jones has claimed victory during his final appearance on The Voice as viewers declared they won't tune in again after the judge was brutally axed.The music icon, 86, and Will.i.am were the only two from the original line-up left on the judging panel.But in September Sir Tom was dropped from the show after 13 years as bosses refreshed the line-up by drafting in newcomers Cheryl and Aitch ahead of the 15th series.At the time, he insisted it wasn't his decision to leave and said ITV 'fired' him 'because of a financial difficulty with insurance'. Now it looks like Sir Tom has had the last laugh as his act, Cate McHugh, was declared the winner of the 2026 series by presenter Emma Willis.Fans were left devastated that he wouldn't be back, writing on X: 'As you have stabbed Tom Jones in the back this will be my LAST time watching The Voice unless you FULLY reinstate him!' Tom Jones has claimed victory during his final appearance on The Voice as viewers declare they won't tune in again after the judge was brutally axed It looks like Sir Tom has had the last laugh as his act, Cate McHugh, was declared the winner of the 2026 series by presenter Emma Willis'Poor Sir Tom Jones. Watching him in the final, knowing he had no idea it would be his last time sitting in that coach chair,''The Voice will be finished when Sir Tom leaves,''Sir Tom the winning coach, and ITV have binned him:( #thevoiceuk Really shot themselves in the foot there and not for the first time,''I refuse to watch the voice without sir tom Jones like he literally is the voice,''And with that, a very worthy winner & Sir Toms reward? A sacking. Well done, well done…' It comes after Sir Tom insisted he 'did not want to leave The Voice' in a furious statement hitting out at ITV.Taking to Instagram, he wrote: 'To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.'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.' But in September Sir Tom was dropped from the show after 13 years as bosses refreshed the line-up by drafting in newcomers Cheryl and Aitch ahead of the 15th series Fans were left devastated that he wouldn't be back as they shared their thoughts on XHe added that ITV had offered him '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.'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.'When contacted by the Daily Mail, an ITV spokesman said: 'We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK.'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.'Fellow coach Will.i.am, who will remain on the show alongside Kelly Rowland, has vented his fury over Sir Tom's being dropped from the show, with sources claiming he's made his feelings known backstage.Sources have revealed that despite Cheryl and Aitch being welcomed as new additions to the lineup, any excitement on set has been replaced by awkwardness over the row.A source said that while they normally kick filming off with welcome drinks in a swanky five-star hotel, this year things are different.'It's seriously awkward as Will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes.'They told The Sun: 'It's pretty uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close with Will and has looked up to Kelly all her career.'This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom's seat. None of this is her fault, it's been handled atrociously by the bosses.'The Daily Mail has contacted Will.i.am and ITV representatives for comment.It has also been confirmed that Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are set to replace Emma Willis as hosts on The Voice UK, after she landed the coveted role as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing.In a statement confirming the lineup, ITV bosses thanked Tom for his work on the show, saying: 'ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show.'He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him.'