Sir Tom Jones has criticized Simon Cowell for the harsh treatment of contestants on talent shows like The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. The 84-year-old, who is returning for his 13th season on The Voice UK, stated that such shows go too far with their questioning of contestants' abilities. He emphasized that The Voice UK only features singers who have already been vetted and can perform, contrasting it with other formats. Jones, alongside long-time co-panelist Will.i.am, will be joined this season by new judges LeAnne Rimes and McFly's Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones. He also remarked that he has not discovered the next Taylor Swift, praising her uniqueness in the industry. Rimes noted that many contestants lack stage presence, an issue exacerbated by the digital era where singers often perform in isolation.