Sir Tom Jones has said he'll remain on The Voice UK 'as long as I'm alive' ahead of the show's return. The beloved Welsh singer, 84, will be back on screens on Saturday 31st August. It will mark Sir Tom's 12th series on The Voice, having taken a break for series five. And he has no plans to leave, telling The Sun he'll remain in his red chair until he dies.
Speaking at the press launch of the 13th series, he said: "As long as people want me, as long as they do, because I love it and I don't want to overstay my welcome. You know, I don't want people looking in and saying 'oh, is that old fart still there?' I love it, I love doing it."
The Sexbomb also admitted he thinks ITV bosses should give him and his fellow coaches more time with each contestant. He explained: "I think it could be longer. Singers could have more time with us, like different workshops, teaching them maybe different things. Each time, you know, and then cut them down slowly. Sometimes you think, 'how can I pick four people from 10 when there's so many good singers there."
On this year's series Sir Tom will be joined once again by Will.I.Am, and newbies Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones from McFly.
The Voice UK is returning to ITV1 with not one, not two, but three new coaches. American sensation LeAnn Rimes, known for 90s hit How Do I Live?, will take up one seat. And forming a duo in the UK’s first ever double chair is McFly band members Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher.
The boyband members will act as one and agree on which singers they want to coach which has at times been tough business. “We had it in our contract that any arguments wouldn’t be aired,” jokes Danny, who has previously starred in The Voice Kids.
“There was one time when Danny grabbed my hand and slammed it on the buzzer,” confesses Tom. “I was undecided but Danny had already made up his mind.”
Danny and Tom are hoping to share their wisdom of 21 years in the music world. They rocketed to fame in 2003 when they, along with bandmates Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter formed McFly.
When asked who they couldn’t share a seat with, both Danny and Tom had the same answer.
“Harry,” confirms Tom. “He’d dominate, he’d press it too quickly.”
“He’d had sweets everywhere. And he’d be spilling stuff everywhere.” adds Danny. "We've not actually had time on our own without the other boys!"
Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.Am will be back for his thirteenth series and is committed to winning after his victory last year with Jen & Liv.
As for the new coaches, Will quite enjoys the shake-up. “The new dynamic, it’s refreshing,” he says. “It’s egoless, joyful, there’s camaraderie, passion and collaboration.”
Sir Tom Jones will take his place back in the red chair and reveals the piece of advice he’d give to the contestants. “Believe in yourself more than anything else,” he says. “If you don’t, you’ll never be able to walk on stage or do anything in life, you’ve got to have determination.”
The coaches will select multiple contestants to take through to the ‘Callback’ round where they will give the singers tips and advice before having to whittle down their team which LeAnn describes as the most “emotional” part of the series.
Arguably the coaching is the most important element on the show, so who would the panel like to have coaching them in their early years as performers?
“For me it’s Bryan Adams,” says Tom Fletcher. “My parents took me to see him and his music had a massive impact on my childhood.”
“I’d go for a double chair,” admits Danny. “I’d go for Bruce Springteen and Will.i.Am. Imagine that?”
“My mum.” Will adds.
The Voice UK will return on Saturday 31 August, 8pm, ITV1 and ITVX
