The new series of ‘The Voice’ might be a full year away, but it seems producers are already lining up the judging panel for the reboot, which will be the first to air on ITV.
After five years on the judging team, it seems ITV bosses are keen to keep Will.i.am on the show when it makes the jump from the BBC, making him the only judge from the most recent series to have held onto his place.
According to The Mirror, he’ll be joined by both Kylie Minogue and Sir Tom Jones, former ‘The Voice’ coaches who are thought to be on bosses’ wishlists for the new series.
An insider tells the newspaper: “They’ve pushed the boat out to get Will to stay and are very much hoping he’ll say yes. He loves the show and he’s actually a bigger star here than he is in the US.
With Kylie, Will and Sir Tom occupying their spinning seats, just one remains, with The Mirror claiming this is to be filled by Jennifer Hudson.
The source continues: “Jennifer is huge in America, where she’s won an Oscar and an Emmy. The offer has gone out and everyone’s very excited at the thought of getting her.”
Jennifer’s arrival on the UK ‘Voice’ team for its sixth series would mark the first time in its history that there was an equal ratio of male to female judges.
Sir Tom’s return to the show would be particularly noteworthy, as he previously hit out at the show when he was given the push from the team last year, in favour of Boy George.
Taking to his Facebook page at the time, he revealed his disappointment at only finding out he’d lost his place on the show days before it was announced to the public, later claiming in an interview that the BBC could - and we quote! - “go and fuck themselves”.
ITV’s reboot of ‘The Voice’ will arrive on our screens next year.
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