Spring 2013 will see The Voice UK make a return to BBC One screens. As the BBC’s most successful new entertainment show in over a decade, series one pulled in over ten million viewers and now it’s back – with more drama, more action in the famous turning chairs and unparalleled world class talent.
Series two comprises four key stages – The Blind Auditions, The Battles, The Knockouts and The Live Shows. Launching with the Blind Auditions, the four superstar coaches (will.i.am, Jessie J, Danny O’Donoghue and Sir Tom Jones) will be on the lookout for a Voice that is truly original and makes their hairs stand on end. As with last year, what you wear, how you look, your size, your age and your past count for nothing. We join the coaches as they resume their positions with their iconic chairs turned against the stage, looking to build a winning team. And to kick off the new series, the Coaches have to select 12 artists for their team, two more than last year. With their teams of 12 in place, it is then onto the Battle Rounds.
In each Battle it’s simple; one song, two voices and one winner. The Battle rounds will whittle each team from 12 to 6 artists in the same format as series one. However, after each Battle it may not all be over for the losing Artist.
In a dramatic new twist for this series, the other Coaches are given the chance to Steal a losing artist from a rival Coach for their team. With only one Steal allowed each, the four Coaches must pick wisely, so if they missed out on an Artist at the Blind Auditions, now’s their chance to grab them back. To Steal, the Coaches must once again press their red buttons. As with the Blind Auditions, if more than one Coach hits the button, the power passes back to the Artist to decide which team they join, and the Coaches will pitch for them again. Once they’ve got their Steals on board, each Coach will have a team of seven.
As the series hits The Knockouts, the Coaches must pick their top three finalists from their seven. It’s at this stage that the artists themselves take control. Each artist must select a “Killer Song” to perform. They will all perform their Killers songs, and the Coaches will have to decide which three artists will go through to the Live Shows.
With three artists left on each team, the power passes to the British public. Each week, the remaining artists will sing Live, competing against each other for the audience Vote. There will be solo performances, group performances and duets with the coaches and guest artists, but only one Artist will ultimately be crowned the winner of The Voice UK.
Worldwide phenomenon The Voice is developed by Dutch media entrepreneur John de Mol’s company, Talpa Media and is produced for the BBC in close cooperation between Wall to Wall and Talpa Media. The BBC version is executive produced by Wall to Wall’s Moira Ross.
Moira Ross comments: “We can’t wait for The Voice UK to return to Saturday nights. With our four global superstars back on board, an unrivalled standard of vocal talent and the added excitement of the “Steals” and “Knockouts”, it’s set to be an extraordinary series.”
