Will.i.am has publicly shown his support for a fan-led campaign calling for Sir Tom Jones to return as a full-time coach on The Voice UK.

The Black Eyed Peas star shared the peтιтion on social media, adding his voice to a growing campaign that has attracted more than 63,000 signatures from supporters around the world.

Sir Tom Jones, 86, has been an on-and-off coach on The Voice UK since the show launched in 2012. ITV recently announced a new coaching line-up for Series 15, with Aitch and Cheryl joining Kelly Rowland and Will.i.am, while thanking Sir Tom for his years on the programme.

Jones has said publicly that he did not want to leave the show and that ITV offered him a reduced role rather than a full-time coaching position. ITV, meanwhile, has said that while he will no longer be a full-time coach for Series 15, discussions about his possible involvement in the next series remain ongoing.

The peтιтion was launched by fan Aaron Howlett, who said he was overwhelmed by the response. Supporters argue that Jones’ decades of experience and connection with contestants have made him an important part of the programme.

For now, ITV’s announced Series 15 line-up remains in place, with the next series scheduled to air in 2027. Whether the ongoing fan campaign and support from fellow coach Will.i.am will lead to a larger role for Sir Tom remains to be seen.

Source: BBC News, ITV