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Artist News Media
Will.i.am to stick with The Voice
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 5 July 2016
I think we can all agree that the thing everyone wanted to know about Will.i.am is will.he.be on the next series of ‘The Voice’ in the UK, when it moves from the BBC to ITV. Yes.he.will.
“I know ‘The Voice’ switched to ITV, but I’m not going to Brexit ‘The Voice UK'”, he said in a statement, also answering the question of why Will.i.am has never been asked to write topical jokes. “I’m delighted to be continuing ‘The Voice UK’ on ITV and being a voice of direction and guidance for the usual suspects. I’m happy to make ITV my home now. I love the UK”.
ITV’s Head Of Entertainment Siobhan Greene also confirmed that the former Black Eyed Pea will be appearing on new spin-off show ‘The Voice Kids’, saying: “We are THRILLED to bits that Will.i.am’s signed up to ITV for ‘The Voice UK’ and ‘The Voice Kids’. He’s such an important part of the DNA of the show and that was one of the many reasons we had to have him in his chair. Will’s eye for talent, and unique and creative flair for mentoring means we can’t wait to see what happens next”.
ITV wanting Will.i.am to stay on as a judge on ‘The Voice’ is perhaps something he wasn’t expecting, given he basically dissed the franchise in a recent Q interview. Noting that winners on rival talent shows have generally enjoyed more success post-competition, he told the magazine: “OK, I can say it now – before I couldn’t, and now I can. The singing shows that have been successful are ‘The X-Factor’ and ‘Pop Idol’. Who’s the consistent person working on those shows? Simon Cowell. Here’s a person that ran a record label that is attached to TV shows – of course someone is going to turn into a fucking star”.
I’m not sure that’s fair. I once saw a former winner of ‘The Voice’ judging a best dressed dog competition. They don’t ask just anyone to do that.