Australian singer Kylie Minogue is joining the U.K. version of The Voice as a coach. She will be joined by The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am and Tom Jones, who are both returning.
Minogue is replacing Jessie J on the singing competition, which mirrors the popular U.S. version that airs on NBC. The U.K. edition airs on BBC One.
“I'm very excited,” Minogue said, reports The BBC. "I love the concept of the show and have been an avid viewer of both series." She added, “Will I be competitive? Probably more than even I imagine! Watch this space!”
Will.i.am decided to return to The Voice U.K. last month, after reportedly being courted for American Idol. He was a coach on the first season of The Voice U.K., with Jones, Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue . According to Deadline, O’Donoghue is also leaving and the BBC expects to announce his replacement “in due course.”
Minogue does have some experience with singing competitions, having appeared as a mentor on the U.K. and Australian editions of The X Factor. Her sister, Dannii, has also been a judge on both competitions.
The third season of The Voice U.K. kicks off in January. The BBC has to hope that the ratings pick up, since the previous season dropped to an average of 7.65 million viewers. However, the season finale did earn 7.95 million viewers, more than the first season finale.
NBC’s version of The Voice starts on Sept. 23.
image: Wikimedia Commons
