AFTER much speculation over The Voice’s line-up of mentors in recent months, ITV has finally released an image of the panel for the upcoming season.
And despite the rumours, Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones, Will.i.am and Tom Fletcher will all be back in their revolving mentor seats.
The new Voice panel from left to right: Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones, Kelly Rowland, Will.i.am and Tom Fletcher Credit: Rachel Joseph
Kelly Rowland, the former Destiny’s Child singer, is joining the line-up Credit: Getty
The only change to the line-up is newcomer Kelly Rowland, the former Destiny‘s Child singer, who replaces US singer Leann Rimes.
There will also be one big change to the format when the show returns to our screens this autumn, with the introduction of a rewind function.
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A TV insider said: “This is a bit of a revolution for The Voice, which has pretty much remained unchanged since it launched in the UK in 2012.
“The rewind element will see the judges given the power to perform a U-turn on a previous decision to pass over a performer.
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“It means they can reflect, then add them to their team, which will certainly keep the singers on their toes.”
During the blind auditions each coach has a chance to change their mind about an act who has left the stage without a single chair turn.
But they have to choose their moment wisely, as they will only get to change their mind once.
Although the first look from the new series proudly showcases the mentors, it is notable that it doesn’t include the host, Emma Willis, who is also set to start presenting Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One from next month.
Looking further ahead, next year’s Voice line-up will definitely look different, as I exclusively revealed that McFly boys Danny and Tom are giving up their mentor spots, and rapper Aitch will be taking their place.
Then there’s the big question over whether Emma will return as host, or will end up being replaced.
Never mind revolving chairs, The Voice is looking more like musical chairs.
STEPHEN APPEARS ON CUE
Stephen Merchant will make an appearance in the second series of Ludwig Credit: BBC
He will feature alongside the show’s star David Mitchell Credit: PA
THE Office legend Stephen Merchant will make an appearance in the second series of Ludwig alongside its star David Mitchell.
The lanky funnyman – last seen in a BBC comedy two years ago when he starred in The Outlaws – will play cocky snooker champ Danny Sloane, who is at odds with David’s character John.
Ludwig, which also features the brilliant Anna Maxwell Martin, became the BBC’s most successful comedy debut in six years when it premiered in 2024.
Audiences’ imagination was captured, and their funny bones tickled, by the adventures of the reclusive puzzle creator turned crimefighter.
The show returns to BBC One on August 20 at 9pm, with the first three episodes appearing on iPlayer simultaneously – although Stephen’s fans will have to wait until episode four to catch his cameo.
HANNAH: TWO IS MY LIMIT
John Hannah, who plays a former cop in Benidorm Credit: PA
DON’T get too attached to new crime drama Benidorm Is Murder, which launched on Channel 5 last week.
John Hannah, who plays a former cop running a bar in the Spanish tourist spot, has a ‘two series only’ rule.
He said: “The two seasons thing is because, by the time you’ve done two, you kind of recognise the formula.”
But he admits he has broken his golden rule for the BBC’s Race Across The World, which he has narrated since 2019.
The Scottish star joked that seeing contestants travel across places like India, China, Japan, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Brazil gives him ideas for holiday destinations.
He told Front Row: “I go into the studio to record and I’m like ‘Oh, I wanna go there’ and ‘I’ve got to go there’.
“I’m like a kid. I am so excited by it. I can’t believe I’m part of it.
“Race Across The World is so different. And it’s not an acting job.”
HERCULE GOES BY THE BOOK
Edward Bluemel will be in a new show based on an Agatha Christie novel Credit: Getty
AGATHA CHRISTIE fans can’t wait for the BBC’s new Poirot “prequel”, Hercule.
But there’s one key question all crime fans want the answer to – which of Christie’s novels will be used for the new show, starring Edward Bluemel?
I can confirm they will include Lord Edgware Dies – a 1933 story about a glam actress who talks about getting rid of her husband only for him to be murdered 24 hours later.
Producers will also revisit Christie’s 1932 novel, Peril At End House, which sees Poirot investigate a series of “accidents” affecting a young heiress .
Both books were turned into TV dramas during David Suchet’s tenure as detective Poirot on ITV. Hercule is expected to air next year.
A STUDY of 185,114 IMDb reviews of Netflix shows by puzzle platform Sudoku Bliss revealed the top three most overrated were Money Heist, Squid Game and Sacred Games.
While the three most underrated were Everything Sucks!, The Last Kingdom and Marco Polo.
C4 STARS VIRGIN ON CHEATING
A FURIOUS Virgin Islander has blasted her fellow contestants for secretly hooking up with each other on the Channel 4 show.
Childcare practitioner Claire was horrified to see her peers diving into each other’s tents for late-night liaisons behind producers backs – and warned she was going to report them.
She told the TV Insider podcast: “I’m very much a stickler for the rules and I’m, like, ‘We all signed a contract’.
For example, we weren’t allowed to go into each other’s tents and there were a few people who went against those rules, off-camera and off-mic.
“I pulled them up on it. I was, like, ‘I’ve signed this contract, I’m here for the therapy and if you want to go on Love Island or Big Brother, then go and do that!’”
THE highly-anticipated drama Madden – about the life of American Football legend John Madden – will drop on Prime Video on November 18.
It features an all-star cast including Nicolas Cage, Christian Bale and John Mulaney.
