Sir Tom Jones provided a memorable and humorous moment on The Voice this past Saturday, sharing an unexpected lesson on British slang with his American co-stars. The incident occurred when Will.i.am playfully suggested Danny Jones' rap name could be 'Danny Fanny,' prompting Kelly Rowland to join in. However, the 86-year-old coach quickly intervened to clarify the term's meaning in the UK.
"Kelly, over here, only women have fannies. It's a vagina!" Jones declared, causing widespread laughter among the coaches and host Emma Willis. Jones himself appeared surprised by his own remark, covering his mouth after the revelation. Rowland responded with a laugh, "Y'all did not expect a sex ed conversation!"
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Viewers on social media platforms lauded the moment as "hilarious" and "the funniest thing ever," with many admitting to replaying the clip multiple times. Comments shared online included praise for Jones being an "international treasure" and calling the episode "brilliant."
However, the lighthearted moment was tinged with sadness for many viewers, who expressed their disappointment and anger over news of Jones's impending departure from the show. The current series, which is still airing, has been overshadowed by the announcement that Jones, along with Danny Jones, will not be returning for the next season.
After the episode aired, fans voiced their strong opinions on X (formerly Twitter), questioning the decision to remove the veteran coach. "Sadly he's since been sacked from The Voice," one viewer wrote. Another commented, "Can guarantee you are going to lose a lot of viewers, The Voice without Tom and Will wouldn't work!" Many called the decision "iconic" in a sarcastic tone, questioning why ITV would "stab him in the back."
Sir Tom Jones himself publicly stated that he did not wish to leave the show after 13 years on the judging panel. He explained that he was offered a significantly reduced role, without his own chair or full season involvement, which he was "not thrilled about." He added, "there's never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job."
ITV confirmed that rapper Aitch and former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl will join the coaching panel for the upcoming season, replacing Tom Jones and Danny Jones. Sources close to the production suggested that while Jones is loved, the series was in need of a "major refresh," and with the new coaches coming aboard, there wasn't a seat available for him. Filming for the next season has reportedly begun, with the show expected to air next year.
Viewers expressed concern that the show's decision to axe Jones would lead to a decline in viewership, with some vowing to stop watching. The departure of the veteran coach comes after a long tenure, during which he became a familiar and respected figure on the panel.