Boy George PR Image - H 2014
Dean StockingsPaloma Faith and Boy George will join The Voice UK and work as coaches alongside the returning Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson for the fifth season of the singing competition on the BBC.
They replace Tom Jones and Rita Ora. Ora will be a judge on ITV’s The X Factor this season.
The Voice coaches will be in Manchester for the blind auditions next month. The new season is set to launch on flagship channel BBC One in January.
“I’m thrilled and excited to be a coach on The Voice UK,” said Boy George. “I’m a huge fan of the show and have watched and engaged with it from [season] 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!”
Said Faith: “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.”
Executive producer Moira Ross said the new season “looks set to be our liveliest yet, four iconic superstars all with very big personalities.”
Charlotte Moore, controller of BBC One, said: “Boy George and Paloma will bring a wealth of musical talent, expertise and unpredictability to our new coaching lineup. Their originality and flair will shake things up on the red chairs and take the audience by surprise. I’m thrilled to welcome back Will.i.am and Ricky and would like to personally thank Sir Tom Jones for his dedication and commitment to the last four [seasons].”
