The Voice UK is a reality television singing competition created by John de Mol. It is scheduled to premiere in the UK in 2012 on BBC One. The format is Dutch and the original Dutch version of the programme was broadcast in the Netherlands for the first time in 2010 as The Voice of Holland.
The programme was commissioned after a successful first season in the U.S., where the programme aired on NBC. It will be produced by Shed Media (who also produce Waterloo Road for the BBC) and will air on Saturday nights.
In 2011, following its success in the U.S., speculation mounted on whether a UK version would be made; with BBC said to be keen on launching it as its answer to The X Factor, following the departure of Simon Cowell from the UK version. It was reported that ITV were desperate to get the rights for The Voice in case The X Factor suffered from Cowell's departure. On 19 June 2011, it was announced BBC had won the rights to The Voice.
On 4 October 2011, English singer-songwriter Jessie J was announced by the BBC as the first official coach, with American rapper will.i.am announced on 2 December, and Welsh music legend Tom Jones and The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue on 8 December. On 23 November 2011, it was announced that Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates would co-present the show.
The Voice UK spoilers: The coaches choose their Top 40!
The Voice UK coaches have chosen their top 40 acts, each filling up their teams of ten after a week of auditions in London.
Jessie J, Will.i.am, Tom Jones and Danny ‘from The Script’ Danny O’Donoghue saw hundreds of hopefuls try out for the series over the past seven days.
Contestants were from all ages and backgrounds, from 17-year-olds who had only just started singing to West End performers who had been on tour with rock legends Queen.
There were some familiar faces from other talent shows, while other wannabes tasted their first shot at fame.
Each of the coaches has 10 contestants in their team, which they will now practice and rehearse with alongside the show’s team of vocal coaches and other musical experts.
In a few weeks time the Top 40 will be whittled down in a number of Battle Rounds, leaving just a select few who will go on to compete in the live shows.
'Experience' makes The Voice UK different to The X Factor, says will.i.am
Will.i.am has claimed that The Voice UK coaches’ first-hand experience of making music sets it apart from its rival talent contest The X Factor.
The Black Eyed Peas frontman, who is on the BBC One show’s panel alongside Jessie J, Tom Jones and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue, told The Mirror that he thinks it is incomparable to the ITV1 ratings juggernaut.
“I won’t be a judge on X Factor. But The Voice is different. You can’t even compare the two,” he said. “One, you have people in the music industry, current and legends, coaching the next generation.
“The other format you have judges critiquing, giving their opinions on things when they don’t really know, other than Randy Jackson on [American] Idol.
“But on The Voice, we’ve all got experience.”
He added: “The Voice is a new journey for me. It allows me to quickly step in front of the shadow of Peas.”
But in all seriousness, Danny looks like they photoshopped him out of a normal picture rather than taking a new one and Tom Jones looks a complete mess in that promo
Cheryl Cole lined up to perform new single on The Voice UK
Former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is set to perform her new single on The Voice UK, it has been claimed.
According to the Daily Star Sunday, Chezza wants to ‘get back’ at Simon Cowell by promoting her new album on the rival BBC One show.
The singing competition will go head to head with Simon’s Britain’s Got Talent later this year on Saturday nights, and with Cheryl’s manager will.i.am being one of the judges on the new show, it seems like a perfect match for the Girls Aloud star.
“Cheryl should be releasing her single when The Voice is on TV so it makes sense to combine the two,” a source told the newspaper.
They continued: “Cheryl’s manager Will.i.am is obviously a judge on the show so he’s already been talking to producers to get the ball rolling.
“The BBC are desperate to beat Cowell and BGT in the ratings and they know there’s no better way to do that than by get- ting Cheryl to perform her new single for the very first time live on the show.
“Cheryl would be a massive ratings winner and scoop for The Voice.”
The source added: “It will also be a good way for Cheryl to stick up a cheeky one finger salute at Simon.”
Cheryl is expected to be releasing new material in March, with plans for a duet with Rihanna on the album.
But in all seriousness, Danny looks like they photoshopped him out of a normal picture rather than taking a new one and Tom Jones looks a complete mess in that promo