He is a stalwart of the British music scene, so it’s little wonder Sir Tom Jones was asked back to coach on The Voice UK when ITV snatched it away from the BBC last year.
And it was only fitting, therefore, that the 76-year-old singer performed live on the first of the new season’s live shows on Saturday.
The rousing rendition came as an ITV spokesperson denied claims that Tom might not return to the show next year.
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‘Now THAT’S a voice!’ Sir Tom Jones, 84, delights fans as he performs You Can Leave Your Hat On for The Voice’s first live knockout round… and eclipses all the contestants in doing so
Letting the contestants go first, Tom took to the stage while the public voted for who they want to see in the final 12 in Jennifer Hudson’s team, to sing a rousing rendition of You Can Leave Your Hat On.
And the effortless performance from the old pro was revered by those watching at home, who ditched Will.i.am’s simultaneous live Instagram video to head onto Twitter, showering Tom with praise.
‘Just watched Sir Tom Jones on The Voice, proof what REAL talent is. A true star never fades. #TomJones @thevoiceuk #talent #primetime!’ came the first enthused reaction.
‘Still shook by Tom Jones. I mean he is a legend! What a singer!!! The performance was effortless #TheVoice,’ a second person typed.
Still got it: Tom was sure to demonstrate what a superstar he is
Standout star: And it was only fitting, therefore, that the 76-year-old singer performed live on the first of the new season’s live shows on Saturday
‘Gotta love a bit of Tom Jones @thevoiceuk #youcanleaveyourhaton #thevoice #tomjones!’ a third tweeted.
Someone else chanted: ‘@RealSirTomJones @thevoiceuk Tom Tom Tom….Sir Tom Jones is a Living Legend who has #thevoice!’ while another posted: ‘Not gunna lie… Tom Jones singing on @thevoiceuk makes me go all funny!!!’
One convert wrote: ‘I’ve just become a major Tom Jones fan WOW #thevoice #tomjones!’
While his performance proved there is plenty of life left in the old dog yet, a source told The Sun that the demanding nature of the show means this series may be Tom’s last.
They said: ‘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.’
However, an ITV spokesman told MailOnline: ‘This is untrue. Tom has expressed no desire to leave the show and all parties are keen for his return next year.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Tom and is awaiting comment.
The Welsh crooner will stay firmly put in his coaching chair on Sunday night’s episode, when it’ll be his team’s turn to take to the stage and battle it out for a place in the final 12.
Effortless: The performance from the old pro was revered by those watching at home, who ditched Will.i.am’s simultaneous live Instagram video to head onto Twitter
Twitter fans: Showering Tom with praise, remarks appeared on Twitter such as ‘Just watched Sir Tom Jones on The Voice, proof what REAL talent is. A true star never fades’
Into The Ark, Dannii Barnes, Victoria Kerley, Nadine McGhee, Capital B and Craig Ward will compete, and Jennifer Hudson will perform live instead.
Saturday’s show saw half of Jennifer’s team axed at the end of it, with Jack, Mo and Jamie sailing through to the next round; Will and Gavin Rossdale’s teams will have it out next week.
First introduced in the second season (2013), the knockout round sees the teams’ chosen six perform one track of their choosing.
Only 50 per cent of the remaining contestants will get chosen to be part of the final 12 – who will go through to the final shows in which they are subject to the public vote again.
Team Tom: Into The Ark, Dannii Barnes, Victoria Kerley, Nadine McGhee, Capital B and Craig Ward will compete next week, and Jennifer Hudson will perform live
