Olly Murs has publicly shown his support for Sir Tom Jones following the singer’s unexpected departure from The Voice UK.
The legendary Welsh performer recently confirmed that leaving his famous red chair was not a decision he made himself, revealing that he had wanted to continue working on the popular singing competition.
For Olly, the situation likely felt particularly familiar.
The singer spent five years as a coach on The Voice UK before learning in 2023 that he would not be returning to the programme. His own departure was also widely discussed at the time, with Olly admitting that he was disappointed by the decision.
Now, after Sir Tom opened up about his own exit, Olly has offered a heartfelt message to his former colleague.
“Love ya TJ ❤️ I know how much that show means to you mate,” Olly wrote. “Absolute legend and one of the very best to ever sit in that chair.”
The message reflected the friendship the pair developed during their years together on the programme.
Olly Murs Sends a Message to Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones has been one of the most recognizable figures associated with The Voice UK.
His distinctive personality, musical experience and long career made him a familiar presence in the show’s famous red coaching chair.
Olly worked alongside Sir Tom between 2018 and 2023, giving the two singers several years of experience together on the competition.
During that time, they coached aspiring performers, watched contestants compete for a place in the final and shared many memorable moments on the programme.
Their professional relationship eventually developed into a friendship, which helps explain why Olly’s response to Sir Tom’s announcement was so personal.
Rather than simply commenting on the television changes, Olly acknowledged how important the programme had been to Sir Tom.
His message described the 86-year-old musician as an “absolute legend” and one of the very best people to have occupied the coaching chair.
Sir Tom Says He Did Not Want to Leave
Sir Tom’s statement about his departure made it clear that he had not intended to step away from The Voice UK.
The singer explained that he had recently been informed that he would no longer have his regular coaching position.
According to Sir Tom, he was initially told that the decision was connected to financial and insurance difficulties.
He later said that reports suggested the change was part of an effort to refresh the programme with a new coaching line-up.
The situation appears to have been particularly disappointing for Sir Tom because he had wanted to continue.
“To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience,” he explained.
His statement made clear that his affection for the programme and its viewers remained strong.
Although a smaller guest role was reportedly discussed, Sir Tom suggested that the arrangement would not have allowed him to participate fully from the beginning of the competition.
He ended his statement with a characteristically confident remark:
“There’s never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who’s still pretty good at his job.”
The comment captured the mixture of disappointment and humor that accompanied his announcement.
Olly Murs Has Experienced a Similar Exit
Olly’s public support for Sir Tom carries particular significance because he has experienced a similar situation.
After five years as a coach, Olly was told in 2023 that he would not be returning to The Voice UK.
At the time, the former X Factor contestant openly acknowledged how disappointed he was.
Olly had become a familiar face in the red chair and had spent years working with singers hoping to establish themselves in the music industry.
His departure therefore came as a surprise to many viewers.
Importantly, Olly did not portray his exit as a personal decision.
He openly explained that the decision had been made by the programme.
That experience may help explain why he was quick to show support when Sir Tom found himself facing an unexpected change of his own.
Rather than remaining silent, Olly reached out publicly and reminded Sir Tom of the respect he has earned throughout his career.
Fans Compare the Two Departures
Sir Tom’s announcement has also prompted comparisons with Olly’s departure.
Both singers were established personalities on the coaching panel, and both became closely associated with the programme during their time on the show.
Their departures also generated discussion among viewers about the changing line-up of The Voice UK.
Some fans have expressed appreciation for Sir Tom’s experience and personality, while others have focused on what his absence could mean for the future format of the programme.
Olly’s message has received attention because it came from someone who understands what it feels like to leave the show after becoming part of its identity.
His words also highlighted that relationships formed behind the scenes can continue even after television programmes change direction.
Major Changes Could Be Coming to the Coaching Panel
Sir Tom’s departure may be part of a much wider transformation for The Voice UK.
The source also reports that Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher have been linked with possible exits, although the future coaching line-up has not been fully confirmed.
Meanwhile, Aitch and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl have been named as potential additions to the panel.
Kelly Rowland and long-serving coach will.i.am are expected to remain, according to the report.
If those changes take place, the next series could look considerably different from the coaching panel viewers have become accustomed to.
However, the exact line-up remains subject to confirmation.
The programme is reportedly preparing for its fifteenth series, with filming expected to take place in Manchester and episodes anticipated to air in 2027.
Sir Tom Jones Leaves Behind a Long Legacy on the Show
Whatever the final coaching line-up looks like, Sir Tom’s time on The Voice UK has given him a long association with the programme.
Over the years, viewers have watched him coach aspiring singers, react to performances and compete against other music industry figures for talented contestants.
His presence also brought decades of musical experience to the coaching panel.
That background made him a distinctive part of the show.
For contestants, sitting in front of Sir Tom meant receiving feedback from an artist whose career spans generations of popular music.
For viewers, meanwhile, his personality became part of the appeal of the coaching format.
His announcement therefore represents more than a simple change in television personnel.
It marks the end of a significant chapter for one of the show’s longest-standing personalities.
Olly’s Message Shows the Respect Between Former Coaches
Olly Murs’ response offered a more personal side to the story.
His brief message did not focus on the business decisions behind the programme. Instead, it focused on Sir Tom himself.
By telling him how much he knew the show meant to him, Olly acknowledged the emotional side of leaving a programme that had been part of Sir Tom’s professional life for years.
The two singers may no longer share the coaching panel, but their friendship appears to have continued beyond the show.
Olly’s words also served as a reminder that television programmes can create genuine relationships between the people who work on them.
When the line-up changes, those relationships do not necessarily disappear.
What Comes Next for The Voice UK?
The next chapter of The Voice UK remains uncertain.
With several coaches reportedly linked to possible changes and new names being discussed, viewers may see a significantly different panel when the programme returns.
But for now, Sir Tom’s departure has placed the spotlight on one of the show’s most recognizable coaches.
His own statement made clear that he wanted to continue and valued both the programme and its audience.
Olly Murs, having experienced an unexpected exit himself, responded with a message of friendship and admiration.
“Absolute legend and one of the very best to ever sit in that chair,” he wrote.
For fans who have followed The Voice UK through multiple coaching line-ups, the coming changes could signal a new era for the programme.
And while Sir Tom may no longer occupy the famous red chair on a full-time basis, his years on the show have already left a lasting mark on its history.