Viewers were stunned to learn that Olly Murs and Anne-Marie will not return for the upcoming season of The Voice UK.
ITV is apparently considering replacing the judging panel with American actress LeAnn Rimes, following her suspected exit from Friends.
Olly, 39, will leave the singing competition in September after six years, adding to the recent changes.
However, it appears that the Troublemaker singer will not be replaced by a single individual; rather, a couple might sit in the first ever sofa.
There’s no knowing who ITV may be looking at for this, from Jedward to Pepsi and Shirlie, but a well-known couple is said to be in the works.
‘This marks an exciting new change for the show that will shake up the format and keep it fresh as it moves into a new era,’ a source told The Sun.
With Tom Jones and Will.I.Am expected to return, and country artist LeAnn perhaps taking Anne-Marie’s place, the panel might expand to five icons.
Apparently, a number of combinations are being considered, with an eye on generating duos as well as performing ensembles.
They went on to say, ‘Having a famous duet is an intriguing new concept, since it allows the coaches to help more groups that audition.‘Everything is still all to play for to ensure The Voice gets the strongest line-up possible.’
He has stated that he ‘accepts’ the decision to let him go, but has expressed how much he will’miss’ the work, with colleagues judges showing him a lot of support on social media.
It is still ‘early days’ for LeAnn’s probable recruitment, but ITV intends to “carve up a good deal” with the Can’t Fight the Moonlight singer.
‘ITV thinks she would make an incredible coach and LeAnn is excited to see if she can make it work with her schedule,’ a source told The Sun.