Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue will all return to The Voice for a second series, the BBC has confirmed.
All four coaches will be back in their spinning chairs for the next run of the singing contest which will air in spring 2013. And all four judges are understood to be receiving the same level of fee they were paid for the first series.
The Voice UK was BBC One’s biggest new entertainment series on record with a consolidated series average of 9.2million viewers. The final saw Leanne Mitchell crowned the winner, coached by Sir Tom Jones and winning a recording contract with Universal.
Danny O'Donoghue, Tom Jones, Jessie J and Will.I.Am
Sir Tom Jones said in a BBC statement: "I'm really looking forward to seeing and working with Jessie, Will and Danny on the second series of The Voice. I've heard there will be some important changes that will make what is already a good, strong show even better."
will.i.am said: "This season is gonna be doper than last year!!"
'Price Tag' singer Jessie J has agreed a further series despite announcing in her recent autobiography Nice To Meet You that she would not return. She had already changed her mind by the time the book was published in the summer.
Jessie J added: "I'm so happy to be back as one of the original four for series two. It’s going to be even bigger and better this time and I can't wait. Bring it on."
And Danny O’Donoghue concurred: “I can’t wait to start the search again for the hottest vocal talent in the UK. I had an amazing experience last time and from what i believe, this year’s gonna be bigger and better, already the level of singers auditioning has gone through the roof and I can’t wait for the rest of the UK to hear and enjoy all the undiscovered artists there are out there… Tom, Will, and Jessie… Bring it on guys!!”
The blind audition rounds for series two will be held at the BBC’s MediaCityUK, Salford, in front of a live studio audience.
Mark Linsey, Controller Entertainment Commissioning, said: “I am so thrilled that our four coaches are coming back for series two. All of them are hugely talented individuals and their immense knowledge and first-hand experience in the music industry makes it a line-up that is authentic and second to none. They care passionately about singing and all four of them will want to be the coach that discovers the next winner of The Voice.”
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