Kelly Rowland, known for her role in Destiny's Child, has been officially confirmed as a judge on The Voice UK. ITV released a new image showing the singer alongside returning coaches Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones, Will.i.am, and Tom Fletcher for the upcoming series.
Line-up change and delay
Kelly replaces LeAnn Rimes in the line-up. The pre-recorded fourteenth series, originally scheduled after the 2024 series won by Ava Mannings, was delayed by a year, as confirmed by ITV.
The Voice UK, which began on the BBC in 2012 before moving to ITV, features judges who listen to auditions with their backs turned and turn around if they are impressed.
New 'rewind' twist
A significant format change has been teased, giving judges the power to change their minds after the initial audition. A source said: "This is a bit of a revolution for The Voice, which has pretty much remained unchanged since it launched in the UK in 2012."
Speaking to The Sun, the source added: "The rewind element will see the judges given the power to perform a U-turn on a previous decision to pass over a performer. It means they can reflect, then add them to their team, which will certainly keep the singers on their toes."
Kelly's career highlights
Beyond Destiny's Child, Kelly has sold over 40 million records globally, with hits like Stole, Dilemma, and Motivation. In 2011, she judged The X Factor alongside Gary Barlow, Tulisa, and Louis Walsh, mentoring acts such as Amelia Lily, Misha B, and Janet Devlin.
Last year, Kelly expressed her excitement: "I am excited to join The Voice UK as a coach, and am looking forward to working with the excellent and passionate coaches the show is known for. I can’t wait to hear all the new talent and to go to battle for my team. Let’s go!"
Host and prize details
Emma Willis will continue to host the pre-recorded series, helping mentors find the next winner, who will receive a £50,000 cash prize and a record deal with Universal Music.
Earlier reports suggested Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones might not return for series 15 due to scheduling conflicts, with rapper Aitch in talks to replace them. A source said: "Tom and Danny loved their time on the show, but a full series is a huge commitment. Tom is back and forth from New York, working on taking Paddington: The Musical over there from London’s West End and he’s also in and out of the studio writing the eighth McFly album with Danny. As much as they would have liked to return to The Voice, sadly it’s impossible."
