Will.i.am officially a coach for next series of The Voice

The Culture Club singer has revealed he won’t be returning as a coach on the revamped show, which this year will debut on ITV as part of a three-series deal that continues until 2017. The panel for the last series on the BBC, which saw former Liberty X singer Kevin Simm crowned the victor, saw will.i.am joined by Boy George, Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson.

“I know “The Voice” switched to ITV, but I’m not going to Brexit “The Voice UK”, he said in a statement, also answering the question of why Will.i.am has never been asked to write topical jokes.

Will has proven he’s more than dedicated to The Voice having been a coach since it first hit United Kingdom screens on the BBC in 2012.

Last month singer Jess Glynne revealed she’d turned down an offer from the show, saying: “I am not in the right place in my life at the moment. I love the United Kingdom”. Although he is the first coach confirmed for the new series, Will has previously stated that he only planned to return should his former coaches Jessie J, Danny O’Donoghue and Tom Jones were to join too. “I’m happy to make ITV my home now”.

In addition to the normal version of The Voice, there will also be a The Voice Kids, which Will.i.am will be judging on too.

Meanwhile, will.i.am isn’t the only familiar face moving with the show when it switches channels as host Emma Willis – who previous year fronted the programme with Marvin Humes – has also been pulled back in for another series.

On Sunday night (July 3) the “revamped” new series of “Top Gear” came to an end, giving the troubled BBC show its lowest viewing figures yet. “And I’m thrilled to add The Voice Kids to the mix”.