Tom Jones warns ITV staff he ‘already knows he won’t be returning to The Voice next season’
The 76-year-old pop legend is reportedly feeling the strain of filming, which 'takes too much out of him'
SIR TOM Jones has sparked rumours he is set to leave The Voice - telling people on the ITV show’s set that he “already knows” he is going to quit.
The pop legend, 76, who was dropped from the BBC show in 2015, has sung the praises of the revamped ITV show after re-joining the panel.
But insiders this evening told how the Welshman recently confessed that he wants to call it a day after the gruelling filming schedule took its toll.
And his decision is set to once again plunge the show’s panel into uncertainty.
One source said: “Tom has really loved being back on The Voice, and is having a great time working with the other judges and the entire team.
“They all get along famously behind the scenes, as well as on camera.
“But there’s no denying that filming show is very hard work, and takes up a huge amount of time and energy. Tom has really felt that this year.
“He has found it very tiring. And he has been overheard telling his team that he ‘already knows’ he won’t be back for the next series, because it takes too much out of him.
“But that decision will come as a massive blow to ITV, who would love to have him back.”
The Sex Bomb singer - who is on the panel with Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale – has previously gushed about his love for the show.
And after the last BBC series proved a ratings flop, he has helped reinvigorate the new version with his quick humour and impromptu performances.
During the auditions he won a standing ovation with an off-the-cuff rendition of Great Balls of Fire.
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The source went on: “After being so unceremoniously dumped from the BBC show, Tom returned to The Voice on ITV with a whole new enthusiasm.
“But while he has thoroughly enjoyed himself, that has come at a cost. And at the moment he seems to feel that he would like to go out on a high.
“Nothing has been decided yet, and ITV are hoping they can change his mind.
“But if not, they will just have to go back to the drawing board.”
A spokeswoman for Tom last night stressed the pleasure he was experiencing in his role, and insisted he would consider returning for another year.