The Voice UK is back on our screens this Saturday (7.30pm ,BBC1) for its final series on BBC1 before moving to ITV next year. TV Times can’t wait as it looks set to be the most exciting yet – and here's why…
1 Newbies! Paloma vs. George
New judges Paloma Faith and Boy George are set to bring an edgy new energy to proceedings. From the off, the colourful popsters squabble over who gets who in what George calls their ‘bantomime’, with tiffs and barbs aplenty.
2 Weird & Wonderful will.i.am
Any man who can compare a singer to ‘pea risotto’ is always worth watching.
3 Ricky The "Doe-Eyed Killer"
Do not be taken in by the quiet charm and twinkly eyes, Kaiser Chiefs chart-topper Ricky Wilson is the most competitive mentor of the lot. The man Boy George has dubbed "The Doe-eyed Killer" steered Stevie McCrorie to victory last year but how will he react when faced with the avalanche of madness that is will, Paloma and George.
4 Auditions for ITV!
It's not just the wannabe stars looking for a break this year… The mentors and hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes will be upping their game in the hope of landing a job on the ITV re-boot in 2017.
5 Bernie Clifton!
In previous series we’ve seen a host of stars competing for a second shot at fame. This year's opening episode sees veteran funnyman Bernie Clifton, 79, (sadly, Bernie's Ostrich, Oswald, is confined to the backstage area during the audtion) try his luck. “I didn’t tell anybody I was doing it, not even my family,' says Bernie. "I thought they’d say ‘Don’t do it…'" Look out for Liberty X’s Kevin Simm and Waterloo Road’s Thomas Milner later in the run.
6 Sir Tom Jones – respect due!
There was a media storm when it was announced that Sir Tom Jones had been unceremoniously axed from the judges' panel. Will the show find a way to pay tribute to the man who, for four series, was the heart and soul of The Voice UK? We certainly hope so!
SUZI O'FARRELL
