The ongoing fallout surrounding ITV’s decision to drop Sir Tom Jones from The Voice UK has reached international waters, drawing outspoken commentary from long-time peers within the global music industry.

Rock star and The Voice Australia coach Richard Marx has publicly broken his silence regarding the situation, criticizing network bosses for how they handled the legendary 86-year-old singer’s sudden exit while acknowledging the massive wave of public outrage that followed.

The controversy erupted after ITV announced a sweeping overhaul of the long-running talent format after 13 years, opting to replace Sir Tom as part of a major line-up refresh.

While network executives had initially expressed hope of involving Sir Tom in an altered, non-coaching capacity, insider reports indicate that the music titan has firmly ruled out returning to the series next year.

Sir Tom previously revealed that while leaving was against his personal wishes, ITV executives had reached their decision long before informing him.

Speaking directly with The Mirror, Richard Marx offered a candid assessment of the network’s approach.

“The way things played out, and I don’t know the backstage details, but I know Tom a little bit, and he’s a very classy guy, and I think however they handled it, it seems like they handled it poorly,” Marx shared. He added: “And the backlash, the public reaction, has been pretty significant.”

Here is the complete, detailed breakdown of Richard Marx’s bond with Sir Tom, his observations on the legend’s vocal health, and his reflections on his own decades-long music career.

Studio Memories and Admiration for an 86-Year-Old Vocal Powerhouse

Reflecting on his history with the Welsh icon, Marx recalled growing up with deep reverence for Sir Tom’s artistry, placing him alongside Elvis Presley as his ultimate musical inspiration.

Years later, Sir Tom’s son and manager reached out to Marx, leading to a direct collaboration inside the recording studio.

Although the tracks recorded during those sessions were never officially released to the public, Marx emphasized that the two hit it off immediately.

“He’s truly a very sweet man,” Marx stated. “I absolutely love Tom.”

Addressing Sir Tom’s current physical condition and enduring vocal strength at age 86, Marx expressed utter awe at how the veteran star continues to perform live despite physical ailments.

Marx described watching a recent viral clip on TikTok from one of Sir Tom’s live concerts, noting: “I just watched a clip on TikTok yesterday from a show maybe a week ago, and he comes out, you can tell he’s kind of like, ‘Oh, my hip hurts!’ or something, but then he sits down, the voice is the exact same! It’s unbelievable, he’s 86 years old. My God!”

Drawing comparisons to jazz icon Tony Bennett, Marx praised Sir Tom’s ability to maintain his legendary vocal power across nearly seven decades.

“That’s my goal, man! I want to be that guy,” Marx confessed. “Tony Bennett did it, and I look at Tom; there are very few people whose voice doesn’t eventually leave them in some form naturally. And I think it’s a testament to Tom, and Tony Bennett too, if you never stop singing, you just go—you just keep holding on—singing all the time, and that’s what they do…”

Crafting Setlists, Serving Fans, and the London Palladium Shows

Beyond discussing Sir Tom’s situation, Marx opened up about the logistical challenges of managing his own setlists after a career spanning decades and 14 studio albums.

Speaking about his recent live performances at the iconic London Palladium, the Right Here Waiting singer admitted that assembling a balanced show is an increasingly difficult task, particularly in North America.

“Especially in the US,” he laughed, “but in such a great way. That’s why sometimes I don’t play all the singles. I’ve done a few shows here where I just do the hits. But when I was preparing that setlist, I thought, ‘Oh man, I’m so lucky to have a setlist like that.’ I know first of all, I serve the people who have supported me all these years, and I know they want to hear the hits. I get it, because I’m the same way—when I go see a band perform, if they don’t do most of the material I know and love, I’m a little bummed out.”

Marx explained that his concerts are designed as an inviting journey where fans can relax, hear live renditions of classic favorites, and be gradually introduced to newer material.

He also shared his appreciation for younger pop stars like Niall Horan, comparing the intimate relationship between a artist and their audience to a friendly gathering.

“I’ve never seen Niall, but I’m a fan of his,” Marx explained. “If you’re the kind of artist like me who talks to the audience, once you build that rapport with that audience, they’ll lean in. It’s almost like saying to your friends at a dinner party, ‘Hey listen, can we pause the Sade channel for a second, because I want to play you a couple of songs I really love?’ Of course, your friends are going to say, ‘Yeah, show me! What do you have?’ It’s the same thing. I tell people, ‘If you come to see me perform, I’m very proud of the music we play.'”

As The Voice UK prepares for its upcoming 2027 transformation featuring Kelly Rowland, will.i.am, Cheryl Tweedy, and Aitch, the vocal criticism from industry figures like Richard Marx underscores the lingering tension surrounding Sir Tom Jones’s departure.

Source: Compiled from various sources