THE VOICE UK FANS LEFT EMOTIONAL AS SIR TOM JONES MAKES HIS FINAL APPEARANCE — WITH ONE LAST VICTORY

Viewers paid tribute to the 86-year-old music legend after his contestant Cate McHugh won the 2026 final, making his farewell from the coaching panel even more bittersweet.

Fans of The Voice UK were left emotional after Sir Tom Jones made what is expected to be his final appearance as a full-time coach on the ITV singing competition.

The 2026 grand final aired on Saturday, October 31, and ended with a special moment for the Welsh music legend. Cate McHugh, the singer he mentored throughout the competition, was crowned this year’s winner.

Her victory gave Tom a memorable send-off after more than a decade associated with the show.

Fans say Sir Tom Jones will be missed

Following the final, viewers took to social media to share their reactions to Cate’s victory and Tom’s departure.

One fan congratulated both of them, describing the win as a wonderful achievement before adding that Tom was not simply a coach, but part of the show’s “heart and soul.”

Another viewer praised Cate as a deserving winner and thanked Tom for his contribution, saying he would be missed.

Others questioned ITV’s decision to replace the veteran singer, with some saying his presence had been one of the main reasons they continued watching the programme.

The reactions reflected the affection many viewers have developed for Tom during his years on the show.

Cate McHugh gives her coach a winning farewell

Cate, a 31-year-old singer from Llantwit Major in Wales, competed against three other finalists: Monique Nicholson-Porter, Naná Aldrin-Quaye and Frank Raven.

Representing Team Tom, she performed The Beatles’ classic Blackbird during the final before joining her coach for a duet of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads.

When her name was announced as the winner, Cate appeared overwhelmed by the result.

“Thank you, I did it,” she said.

Her victory earned her a £50,000 prize, a recording contract with Universal Music Group and a holiday to Universal’s resort in Florida.

Cate has also spoken openly about living with Stargardt disease, a degenerative eye condition that has left her registered blind. Her performances throughout the competition demonstrated her determination to pursue her musical ambitions.

For Tom, seeing his contestant lift the trophy made the final particularly meaningful.

Why is Tom Jones leaving The Voice UK?

Tom’s departure was confirmed in September, when ITV announced a major shake-up of the programme’s coaching and presenting line-up for its next series.

The singer later made clear that leaving had not been his decision.

In a statement shared on social media, he wrote: “To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience.”

He said ITV had made the decision some time earlier and had cited financial difficulties relating to insurance. He also explained that the broadcaster had offered him a much-reduced role, involving appearances without being involved from the beginning of the competition.

“I’m not thrilled about that,” he added.

An ITV spokesperson said the broadcaster had loved working with Sir Tom over the years and confirmed that he would no longer be a full-time coach in series 15. The spokesperson also said discussions with Tom and his team about possible future involvement were continuing.

A new line-up is coming in 2027

The next series of The Voice UK will look very different.

ITV has announced that Cheryl and rapper Aitch will join the coaching panel, alongside returning coaches will.i.am and Kelly Rowland.

Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are also set to take over as presenters, replacing Emma Willis.

Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones will also leave the coaching panel.

Sir Tom first appeared on The Voice UK when the programme launched in 2012. Across his time on the competition, he became one of its most recognisable coaches and guided several contestants to victory.

Although his full-time coaching chapter appears to have come to an end, Cate’s triumph gave him one final moment to celebrate with a winning contestant.

For many viewers, however, the evening was about more than finding a new champion. It was also an emotional farewell to a familiar face whose voice, experience and encouragement had become part of the show’s identity.