Coaches
On 15 April 2015, the Daily Mirror reported that Simon Cowell said he "saw Rita on The Voice and I thought she was very good. When it comes to asking her over, you know, it's fair game", [5] prompting rumours that Ora was set to join his show, The X Factor . However, these rumours were squashed at the end of April after bosses on The X Factor decided "not to pursue her". [6] On 6 June 2015, it was reported once again that Ora could be leaving the show and taking up a place on The X Factor following weeks of rumours. [7] A week later, Ora broke her silence on the topic, saying that "it is nice to even be rumoured to be in the running". She also said that "watching a bidding war going on makes me feel special". [8] On 16 June 2015, it was officially confirmed that Ora had joined The X Factor alongside new judge Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Cowell. [9] It was later confirmed that day that Ora wouldn't be returning to The Voice. During an appearance on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show , Norton teased her about leaving The Voice, asking if this would be her last appearance on BBC One. Ora responded saying "I love the BBC and the BBC love me back. And it was a great experience. [...] But honestly, it was all about time, and when I shoot The Voice, I'm not in the country, and so I technically wouldn't be able to do it anyway. But literally, that's the truth. They knew I couldn't have done it because my second album comes out then." [10]
In May 2014, The Voice UK executive producer Moira Ross said that she was hoping Kylie Minogue would return to the show for its 2016 series: "Kylie's doing her world tour, so she's not available for series four's filming dates, but hopefully we'll have her back for series five. So it's a little hiatus." [11] During an appearance on Alan Carr: Chatty Man in the same month, Minogue said that whilst she "can't go back next season (series four) [...] the season beyond that...it's an open book. Let's see." [12] On 28 May 2015, So You Think You Can Dance judge Jason Derulo told the Daily Star that he was in talks to join The Voice UK: "there's some talk about me doing The Voice here. It's a cool show, there's interest from both parties, myself and them." He also praised will.i.am, saying that he'd "like to sit with will.i.am." [13] Following Ora's exit, Paloma Faith became favourite to join the show on 20 June 2015. [14] On 25 June 2015, The Voice of Ireland coach Rachel Stevens told OK! magazine that "if they [the producers] called, I'd be there in a second". In addition, she commented that due to her experience on the Irish version of the show, she thinks she is the best person to replace Ora. [15] On 1 July it was reported that former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger, who has been on both the American and British versions of the show, was entering talks that week to join the show after will.i.am had been "lobbying hard for her to join the panel". [16] However, bosses later claimed they didn't want X Factor castoffs on their show, thus ruling Scherzinger out of the running. [17] On the same day, former member of the Spice Girls and judge on Asia's Got Talent and Superstar , Melanie Chisholm said in an interview that she "would love to do The Voice". [18]
On 14 August 2015, it was announced that Paloma Faith would be replacing Rita Ora on the panel. Upon her appointment on the show, she said “I'm really excited about working with creative people who are there not just to be great singers, but also innovative personalities and performers. I have a long history of helping break artists as in my club nights I booked Kate Nash, Adele and The Noisettes before they hit the big time, and four of my band members have gone on to pursue successful solo careers. I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth into something that cultivates the talents of another person and takes the focus off myself for a bit.” [2]
On 14 August 2015, it was announced that Boy George would be joining the coaching lineup replacing Sir Tom Jones. Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One, publicly thanked Jones for "his dedication and commitment to the last four series", whilst Mark Linsey, Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, said that "Jones helped make The Voice UK a success" and thanked him for "his invaluable contribution to the series". George stated he's "he's thrilled and excited to be a coach on The Voice UK. I'm a huge fan of the show and have watched and engaged with it from series one. If I can help someone to win, I will be delighted. What a wonderful opportunity to share my experiences and help someone move forward with their musical career. I can't wait to sit in that chair!" [2]
Following the fourth series final, will.i.am said that he "hopes" to return to the show in 2016 if he was invited back by the BBC. [19] In an interview in NME , Ricky Wilson admitted he had not heard anything from producers about their plans for the show's fifth series: "I don't know if I'd do it again, maybe." [20] With the announcement of Boy George and Paloma Faith joining the show's coaching panel, it was confirmed that both will.i.am and Ricky Wilson would be returning to the show. When discussing his return, Wilson said he's "thrilled to be returning to The Voice as the coach of last season's winning performer, Stevie – but with Paloma Faith and Boy George on board, this series is going to be the hardest one yet. The pressure is definitely on, and I know Will will come out with all generic electronic tablets blazing." [2] This is the final series of The Voice UK to air on BBC One as the show moved to ITV. This is also the final series to feature Marvin Humes as host after 3 series.
