Will.i.am has opted to return to the U.K. to be a coach on The Voice across the pond, instead of being a judge on American Idol.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Black Eyed Peas singer will be joined by Tom Jones. Jessie J and The Script’s Danny O'Donoghue are leaving the show and it’s expected that Kylie Minogue will take one of those spots.
The “Scream & Shout” singer was in talks to join Idol and a previous THR report noted that he had a great rapport with Jennifer Lopez. While Fox still hasn’t confirmed if Lopez will be returning to Idol, her boyfriend Casper Smart said that she is.
While The Voice has been an overwhelming success for NBC in the U.S., the U.K. version on BBC One hasn’t fared as well. Season one did draw record numbers, averaging 8.9 million viewers. But season two’s average dipped to 7.5 million.
Will.i.am remains popular in the U.K., as his latest album #willpower reached No. 3 on the charts there.
