Tom Jones says his 'The Voice UK' firing was due to 'financial difficulty'

Sir Tom Jones is making it clear that his exit from "The Voice U.K." after 14 seasons was not his decision. In a Tuesday, Sept. 8 Instagram post, the "It's Not Unusual" singer, 86, said he was told his exit as a coach on the reality singing competition series was due to a "financial difficulty with

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Tom Jones attends the

Sir Tom Jones is making it clear that his exit from "The Voice U.K." after 14 seasons was not his decision.

In a Tuesday, Sept. 8 Instagram post, the "It's Not Unusual" singer, 86, said he was told his exit as a coach on the reality singing competition series was due to a "financial difficulty with insurance."

"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," he wrote in the statement. "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."

The Welsh singer said producers are offering him a "much-reduced role where I would make an appearance

but without being actually involved from the start," but clarified he's "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," he continued.

USA TODAY has reached out to ITV for comment.

In a statement to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, an ITV spokesperson 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."

When did Tom Jones join 'The Voice UK'

Jones' departure from the BBC competition series is a major change for the show as he's served as a coach since season one premiered in 2012.

Throughout his 14-year tenure, he's won the series three times, including Season 1 with Leanne Mitchell in 2012, Season 7 with Ruti Olajugbagbe in 2018 and Anthonia Edwards for Season 11 in 2022.

Jones' exit also makes Will.i.am the last original coach from the U.K. franchise. The Black Eyed Peas frontman commented with many sad face and crying emojis under Jones' post.

Others expressed outrage at ITV, with British model and artist Jeny Howorth commenting: "How Bloody Dare They! I only watched because of you. Love the mix up of ages thats what mDe it interesting. And all your wonderful experience and stories @itv you need to think again. Older humans watch tv too!!"

Season 14 premiered on Aug. 22 and is currently airing its blind auditions with Jones and Will.i.am serving as coaches alongside Danny Jones and new coach Kelly Rowland.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Jones says his 'The Voice UK' firing was due to 'financial difficulty'