Cheryl makes a surprise early return to The Voice alongside Will.i.am after she was confirmed as a coach for the 2027 series - while Sir Tom Jones was given the boot

Cheryl has made a surprise early return to The Voice UK and is set to appear in Saturday night's episode for the Battle Rounds. 

The Girls Aloud star, 43, was confirmed as a coach for the upcoming 2027 series last month – as she replaces Sir Tom Jones. 

However fans will be treated to a sneak peek of Cheryl on the show as she joins long-time friend Will.i.am as his assistant to help him choose which three contestants to send through to the semi-finals. 

Looking stylish as she stepped out of the car with the rapper, she wowed in a red tasseled leather jacket and light blue flared jeans. 

Beaming in snaps she embraced the Black Eyed Pea star, 51, who she has had a long-working relationship with since their first single together almost two decades ago. 

Girls Aloud formed on Popstars: The Rivals back in 2002, so Cheryl has been in the same position as the show's hopeful contestants. 

She said: 'I’ve stood in the shoes that the contestants are standing in. I know what it feels like to perform in this environment. You’ve just got to know that you’re good or you wouldn’t be here.'

She added: 'I’m so excited for you all. You couldn’t be in better hands than you are with Will.

'Will and I have collaborated a lot over the years so we know what it’s like for two very different artists to come together.'

Cheryl's appearance comes after it was confirmed she would be joining the official 2027 line-up for the show when she was seen arriving for filming. 

The new job marks her return to TV after a lengthy break from the spotlight in the wake of her ex Liam Payne's death.

It has also been confirmed that Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon are set to replace Emma Willis as hosts on The Voice UK, after she landed the coveted role as a presenter on Strictly Come Dancing.

This new series of The Voice has been mired in controversy, after it emerged that Tom Jones would not be returning as a coach on the show.

Tom has since insisted it wasn't his decision to leave and said ITV 'fired' him 'because of a financial difficulty with insurance'.

In a statement confirming the lineup, ITV bosses thanked Tom for his work on the show, saying: 'ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show.

'He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him.'

Fellow coach will.i.am, who will remain on the show alongside Kelly Rowland, has vented his fury over Tom's being dropped from the show, with sources claiming he's made his feelings known backstage. 

Sources have revealed that despite Cheryl and Aitch being welcomed as new additions to the lineup, any excitement on set has been replaced by awkwardness over the row.

A source said that while they normally kick filming off with welcome drinks in a swanky five-star hotel, this year things are different. 

'It's seriously awkward as will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes.'

They told The Sun: 'It's pretty uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close with Will and has looked up to Kelly all her career.

'This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom's seat. None of this is her fault, it's been handled atrociously by the bosses.'

The Daily Mail has contacted will.i.am and ITV representatives for comment. 

Last month, Tom insisted he 'did not want to leave The Voice' in a furious statement hitting out at ITV.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: 'To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.

'The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to 'refresh' the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn't be a chair for me.'

He added that ITV had offered him 'a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I'm not thrilled about that.

'So the only thing I know right now, is that there's never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job.'

When contacted by the Daily Mail, an ITV spokesman said: 'We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK. 

'While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series.'