Olly Murs Sends Emotional Message To Tom Jones After Voice UK Exit — ‘I Know How Much That Show Means To You’

Olly Murs has rallied behind Sir Tom Jones after the Voice UK legend revealed he had been dropped from the ITV singing competition — a decision that will feel all too familiar to Olly himself.

The 42-year-old singer spent five years as a coach on the show before being axed in 2023, meaning he knows exactly what it is like to be told that his time on the famous red chairs is over.

Now, after Jones publicly confirmed his own departure, Olly has sent a heartfelt message to his former colleague.

The pair shared the coaching panel between 2018 and 2023, with Jones remaining one of the show’s most recognisable figures before ITV decided to overhaul the line-up.

Olly Murs Backs Tom Jones

Jones addressed his departure on Instagram after reports about his future on the programme began circulating.

The 86-year-old made it clear that leaving The Voice UK had not been his decision, saying ITV had cited financial difficulties involving insurance.

“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” Jones wrote.

He added that ITV had made the decision “obviously a while ago” and that he had only recently been informed.

Jones also addressed ITV’s suggestion that the programme needed a refresh, revealing that he had been told there would be no place for him in the new coaching line-up.

He claimed the broadcaster had instead proposed a reduced role in which he would make an appearance without being involved from the beginning.

“I’m not thrilled about that,” Jones said.

He then delivered a particularly pointed line about his age and continued ability to do the job.

“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.”

Olly was quick to respond.

“Love ya TJ ❤️ I know how much that show means to you mate. Absolute legend and one of the very best to ever sit in that chair,” he wrote beneath Jones’ post.

The message carried extra weight because Olly has already experienced a remarkably similar situation.

Olly Knows The Feeling

Olly was removed from The Voice UK in 2023 after five years as a coach.

At the time, he was equally clear that the decision had not been his.

“I’m gutted,” he told The Sun. “I got the call last week to say I won’t be back on the show, and it’s a bit of a shock, to be honest. I didn’t really expect that to come.”

He also refused to pretend that he had voluntarily walked away.

“But I don’t want to sit here like other artists might, and shine and gloss this up and say, ‘It was my decision’. I don’t want to do that.”

His comments at the time struck a chord with fans — and now his support for Jones has brought that old controversy back into focus.

Fans Turn Their Frustration On ITV

Several viewers responded to Olly’s message by expressing their disappointment over both departures.

One wrote: “Gutted when you left and now the legend that is @realsirtomjones. Bad move itv!! Clearly clueless on what the audience wants!!”

Another claimed ITV had “got rid of the best people” and said the show needed Olly, Tom and Anne-Marie back.

Others went even further, with one viewer declaring: “Will never watch the voice again, Tom is the reason most people go on the voice! What a massive mistake from ITV!”

The reaction adds another layer to Jones’ exit, particularly after the veteran singer made clear that he still loved the programme and its audience.

Who Is Replacing Tom Jones?

Jones’ departure comes as ITV prepares for a major overhaul of the coaching panel.

Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher are also reportedly leaving the programme, with rapper Aitch expected to join the line-up and Cheryl Tweedy reportedly coming aboard as another new coach.

Kelly Rowland and will.i.am are both expected to return, giving the next series a dramatically different panel.

Filming for Series 15 is due to begin in Manchester this Friday, with the new series scheduled to air in 2027.

For Tom Jones, however, the most striking part of the change may be that he never wanted it to happen.

And for Olly Murs, the decision has given him a chance to publicly stand beside a former colleague who now finds himself in a position Olly knows only too well.