'The Voice UK': Coach Speculation Is Premature, Says BBC

Kevin Winter

Cee Lo Green at the 2011 BET Awards.

Since news broke last month that BBC1 had won the rights to broadcast UK’s version of The Voice, several names have been floated as possible coaches, including British singers, Cheryl Cole and Adele, and someone fans of the NBC show know well: Cee Lo Green.

STORY: 'The Voice's' Cee Lo Green Currently Has No Agreement to Join the UK Show (Exclusive)

BBC spokesperson Kate Toft tells The Hollywood Reporter Thursday that the reports are way too premature. “This is purely speculation at the moment,” she says.

“The UK press are bandying lots of names around - one of which is Cee Lo - but none of which are confirmed,” she continues. “It's far too early for us to be talking about who may or may not be involved - we've only really just announced the commission and the show won't be on air until well into next year.”

On Wednesday, Green’s rep told us exclusively that the singer has no agreement in place to join The Voice UK, but had no comment on whether he’s currently in talks with the British broadcaster to join the show.

Cole’s name popped up as a possible coach soon after the BBC agreement was announced as her recent back and forth with both the U.S. and British versions of X Factor left her without a spot on either show and thus a fan favorite to join the The Voice UK's coaches' panel. She has recently hinted that she’s taking a meeting for something to air next year.

Email: Jethro.Nededog@thr.com; Twitter: @TheRealJethro

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