It’s official. Olly Murs is joining will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Jennifer Hudson to complete The Voice UK’s panel of superstar coaches as the search for a new vocal talent returns to ITV. The singer replaces Gavin Rossdale, who spent one season as coach on the talent show.
Olly – who has notched up four UK No.1 albums and four No.1 singles – will climb into his red chair for the first time this weekend when the Blind auditions kick off in Salford.
The singer first found fame on fellow ITV talent show The X Factor, coming second in 2009, and has since gone on to sell more than 17 million records worldwide. Speaking of X Factor, tabloid sources say Simon Cowell is unhappy that Olly is joining the rival show.
In 2015, Olly and Caroline Flack were brought in to replace Dermot O’Leary on The X Factor, but after a lukewarm reception (It was a super awkward turn for Olly) the pair were dropped after just one series, and Dermot returned the following year.
As far as The Voice UK is concerned, Olly said: “I’m absolutely buzzing about being a coach on The Voice UK and can’t wait to sit in the big red chair alongside will, Jennifer and Tom.
“I’m excited to mentor new artists and without doubt, I’m in it to WIN!”
Singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur will.i.am returns for his seventh series – the only coach to appear on The Voice UK since the very beginning.
will.i.am said: “I’m excited to sit alongside Jennifer and Tom again this year, and I know that Olly will add a fun new twist to this year’s coaches team.”
Legendary artist Sir Tom Jones has had huge success in a career spanning six decades, selling more than 100 million records and clocking up 36 Top 40 hits in the UK and 19 in the US.
Sir Tom said: “I’m really looking forward to getting back into my big red chair alongside the other coaches for the next The Voice UK.
“I’m so proud of my discovery from last season, Into the Ark, so I’m excited to hear and see what undiscovered talent the UK has to offer this series.”
Grammy and Oscar winning artist Jennifer Hudson returns after winning the 2017 series with her act Mo and fresh from her current stint as a coach on The Voice’s US version, the first time a coach has ever appeared on two different versions of the show at the same time.
The singer, movie star and Broadway actress first found fame after her breakout Academy Award-winning performance in Dreamgirls, which followed her finalist-run on American Idol.
Jennifer said: “I am so excited to be returning to The Voice UK alongside this talented group of coaches!
“I loved my time as a coach last season and was so proud of Team JHUD and our winner Mo Adeniran – it was an incredible journey.
“The UK has always felt like a home away from home for me and I can’t wait to be back discovering new talent on season 7!”
Emma Willis again returns to present The Voice UK after completing hosting duties on The Voice Kids in the summer.
The show also welcomes back Jamie Miller, a finalist on the last series, as the new backstage reporter, bringing all the behind the scenes gossip to The Voice UK’s digital platforms.
Since appearing on the show, Jamie has signed a US recording deal with Atlantic Records, home of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Bruno Mars and Kelly Clarkson.
This year’s winner will again scoop a recording contract with music giants Polydor, home to global stars Take That and Ellie Goulding as well as the UK’s biggest breakthrough artists including The 1975 and Years & Years.
The new series of The Voice UK will air on ITV early next year.
