BBC keen to sign The Voice UK judges up for second series
The BBC is in talks with Jessie J, Will.i.am, Tom Jones and Danny O’Donoghue to get all four The Voice UK coaches to sign new contracts for a second series.
The BBC is keen to secure all four judges for a second series next year to prevent any of them being poached by Simon Cowell or other rivals. Cowell has already expressed an interest in singing Jessie J up for the X Factor. The news that Kelly Rowland will not be returning to the hit ITV1 series will only increase speculation over who Cowell sign up to replace the departed judge.
Having lost Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon to ITV and a Simon Cowell show the BBC will be keen not to lose another judge so soon especially from The Voice which has proved to be a ratings hit for BBC One.
The Mirror reports that the corporation is already in talks with all four judges with Tom Jones, confirming the news to one of the tabloids reporters; ‘The BBC has already asked me to come back for the next series and I’ve said ‘yes’ – we have already begun discussions. They are on-going but I would very much like to do it again. They’re happy with the judges as we are, and it looks like all of us will be back, even Will’
Its likely that due to the success of The Voice, which in its first few weeks beat rival Britain’s Got Talent when they clashed, the judges will be seeking a pay-rise.
[Written by Doug Lambert]