Sir Tom Jones is all set to jet out of the UK amid his axing from The Voice UK after 14 years as a coach.
The iconic Welsh singer has been left devastated after being dropped by ITV, despite being on the show since it began on BBC One in 2012.
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He slammed the broadcaster for telling him about the decision at the last minute and claimed it was because of “financial difficulty” with the channel.
Now he’s swapping the UK to travel across the pond for the North American leg of his Come Gather Round Tour.
He will be performing eight shows in the USA and Canada, with locations including New Jersey, Niagara Falls and Lav Vegas.
Tom will begin his Stateside shows on September 18 at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park in Illinois before ending his run on October 23 in Las Vegas.
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He took to Instagram earlier this week to break his silence on his axe from The Voice.
The performer penned: “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 just told 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.”
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He continued: “They are making 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.”
His fellow coach Will.i.am, who has been with him since the show began in 2021, has reportedly been left furious over the news.
The Sun previously revealed rapper Aitch was to replace McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, who are also leaving the show.
Former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl is also set to make her primetime TV comeback as a coach, while will.i.am is returning with Kelly Rowland.
Filming for the new series began on Thursday and the usual welcome drinks for the judges were also axed by ITV bosses.
A source said: “Welcome drinks are usually put on by ITV at a top five-star hotel and it’s a nice way for everyone to meet before filming. But not this year.
“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.
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“Last weekend Sir Tom was packing his bags for the judges’ meeting, now he’s been dropped. How he’s been treated is awful.”
Since The Sun revealed ITV had given Sir Tom the boot, fans online have accused former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, 43, of nabbing his seat.
But insiders insist she had no idea of the plan. A source added: “It’s pretty uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close with Will and has looked up to Kelly all her career.
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“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.”