Alesha Dixon has reportedly “ruffled feathers” behind the scenes at Britain’s Got Talent after signing a huge TV deal with ITV, it has been claimed. The former Mis-Teeq icon, 47, is set to host series 15 of The Voice alongside Stacey Solomon, as details of the lucrative deal were released earlier this week. However, while it’s a major career move for the BGT judge, it was suggested that her fellow ITV judge, Simon Cowell, had been left blindsided by the move.
Blindsided by the News
According to reports, the news had already caused a stir among the BGT production team as everybody was kept in the dark about Alesha joining The Voice. To add insult to injury, Simon’s team allegedly only learned of Alesha’s big move on the same day the public did. “Simon didn’t know, because nobody at Britain’s Got Talent knew - producers included,” one source told The Sun. “He’s got America’s Got Talent live shows starting this week to focus on. How he’ll react is anyone’s guess, but you’d hope Alesha or ITV will want to be the one to tell him personally, especially since they’re friends.”
A 'Kick in the Teeth'
A second source added: “Showbiz is infamously cut-throat and it’s not personal, but for Alesha not to even bother telling Simon about the deal is a real kick in the teeth. He’s quite literally made her millions thanks to her time on Britain’s Got Talent, a courtesy message wouldn’t have gone amiss.” Alesha and Stacey will be taking over from The Voice’s long-term host Emma Willis, who is set to put her dancing shoes on as she moves over to Strictly.
New Roles and Chemistry
The 47-year-old has reportedly been lined up to take on the role of introducing the show’s performers on stage, while Stacey focuses on the nervous contestants behind the scenes. It was their chemistry on-screen during this year’s BGT - where Stacey appeared as a guest judge - that reportedly impressed show bosses. “Alesha found Stacey hilarious when she stood in for Simon on BGT - they got on like a house on fire. They are the perfect choice for The Voice because they have so much experience between them,” a source close to the show disclosed. “Alesha is a pop star and TV judge on a hit Saturday night show, and Stacey found fame thanks to the X factor and is now a TV presenter on Sort Your Life Out, where her empathy with people is off the chart. They have brilliant energy together and are buzzing to take on The Voice UK. Everyone is really excited.” The Mirror has reached out to Alesha and Simon's representatives for comment.
