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Home , Bo Bruce, Leanne Mitchell, Reggie Yates, The Voice (franchise), The Voice UK, The Voice UK (series 1)

UNDER STRICT EMBARGO UNTIL 23rd MARCH 00.01AM UK IS BACK TO FIND THE NEXT GREAT SINGING SENSATION MORE BLIND AUDITIONS, MORE CHAIR TURNING, ‘STEALS’ AND MORE AMAZING VOCAL PERFORMANCES

Coming soon to BBC One

Superstar Coaches Sir Tom Jones, , will.i.am and Danny O’Donoghue are back in search of the best new singing talent from across the country in the return of smash hit series The Voice UK.

The BBC’s most successful new entertainment show in over a decade returns to screens this month with new twists to the format - more action from the famous turning chairs, more talent, more tension and more drama than ever.

As one of the biggest international TV formats, with an average UK audience of over nine million for series one, The Voice UK gives people with real vocal talent a potentially life changing opportunity to have a career in music they’ve dreamed of.

Between them, Coaches Jessie J, will.i.am, Danny O’Donoghue and Sir Tom Jones have a phenomenal range of experience and success to guide would-be Artists to the top. With over 140 million sales and countless number one hits between them, they will coach, train and develop their Artists through the competition until one is crowned winner of ‘The Voice UK’ and begins their career in the signing an exclusive record deal with Universal Music.

Hosts and return to the show bringing the audience closer to the Artists as they follow all the action from backstage at the Blind Auditions right through to presenting the Live Finals.

Last year’s series saw all four finalists, winner , and runners up Tyler James, and , go on to start making their way as Artists, all recording and learning from the best in the business after being watched by millions on The Voice UK.

And the second series offers even more talented singers - from those who have never sung in front of an audience before, through to those with previous professional experience - the chance to prove that they could be the next winner of The Voice UK. In the words of will.i.am, they’re ‘dope’.

The Voice is developed by Dutch media entrepreneur John de Mol’s company, Talpa Media and is produced for the BBC in close cooperation between Wall to Wall and Talpa Media.

The BBC series is Executive produced by Moira Ross, series produced and edited by Clodagh O’Donoghue and Ed Booth. The show’s format is made up of four stages; the Blind Auditions, the Battle Rounds, the Knockouts and the Live Finals. And this year, in an exciting new twist, the Coaches and the Artists get more than one chance to keep their dreams of winning the competition alive.

THE BLIND AUDITIONS What you wear, how you look, your history, your size and your age count for nothing in the Blind Auditions, because Coaches have their backs to the stage, so can only base their decisions on what they hear. If a Coach likes the sound of a voice, they can hit a button which turns their chair and lands that Artist a spot on their team. But…if more than one Coach turns, the power shifts to the Artist, meaning they can now choose which superstar would be the perfect fit for their talent. If no-one turns, the Artist is out of the competition. Each Coach must form a team of 12 Artists, and they'll use every trick, every name drop, every bit of their own success to persuade the very best to join their team. Once the teams have been formed, the Coaches must use all their experience and skills to prepare their Artists for the Battle Rounds.

THE BATTLE ROUNDS In each Battle, it’s simply, one Song - two Voices - one Winner. Before the Battles, the Coaches along with trusted fellow pop stars and music industry veterans – their Battle Advisors, dedicate themselves to developing their Artists, sharing the secrets of their success and making their team's voices the very best they can be. In the Battles each Coach must pair up their acts to sing against each other in a vocal showdown to decide who will progress to the next stage. After each Battle, the Artists' own Coach must decide who will progress to the Knockouts - and who to send home.

“THE STEAL” After each Battle, it's not quite over for the losing Artist. In a dramatic new twist for this series, the Coaches can "Steal" a losing Artist for their own team. So if they missed out on an Artist they loved during the Blind Auditions, now's their chance to finally grab them for their team. Each Coach can only Steal one Artist during the Battle Rounds, so they'd better make that Steal count. If more than one Coach tries to Steal the same Artist, then they have to pitch to the Artist once again to persuade them to join their team, in the same way as the Blind Auditions. By the end of the Battles, each Coach will each have seven Artists remaining on their team and from now on, there are no more second chances.

THE KNOCKOUTS In the Knockouts, the Coaches must reduce their teams of seven down to their top three Artists to progress to the Live Finals. Now, the Artists take control. They will each choose just one “Killer Song” they think will give them the very best chance to impress their Coach and win a spot in the final 12. The Coaches will then have tough decisions to make as they choose who they want to take through to the Live Finals.

THE LIVE FINALS This is the final phase of the contest, and the first time the Artists perform on live television and face the public vote. Every week, the teams will lose one Artist and by the final, one Artist from each team will remain to sing to be crowned winner of The Voice UK 2013. How does it feel to be back for a second series? Great. I had no hesitation saying yes once I knew all the other Coaches were re- maining the same. It’s a good vibe and it’s a nicer feeling this time around. When you do anything for the first time, you are new to it, and I had never done anything like this before. So this time around, I feel more used to it and it’s a lot of fun.

Why do you like being a coach on The Voice? I enjoy the fact I am able to contribute. I have been in the business for a long time and so I feel I should pass on to people my knowledge and what I know.

Has the talent blown you away this year? Sure. There are more talented people on this series than there was last year. And by that, I mean there are more of them. This year, I have been looking out for strong voices or someone who has something different to offer.

Did you find it hard whittling your team, chosen in the auditions, down to the final stages? Yes. It was really hard as the variety of people was wider which made it harder for me. You get to know the people and you know their potential, which then makes it tough. But I tried to tell them that not everybody could go through and that it was nothing personal.

Are you stricter this year? No. The big difference for me is there are different personalities and different singers. My big challenge is choosing the right song. You search for the right track and wonder if the person can handle it.

What’s been your favourite bit so far? The Blind Auditions. The reason for this is because it is different. You have no idea what a person looks like and this is unlike any other . There is nothing else you are going with other than the voice.

You won last year. Are you confident of winning again? I am not sure. There are a lot of good singers on the show and so it will be difficult because they are all so strong.

Do you wind everyone up by telling everyone you won? Definitely. I throw that in once in a while! I have been telling contestants that I won and that if they want to be on the winning team, they need to jump in with me. It is definitely about having fun on the show. Being a Coach on The Voice is not like work because it is so enjoyable.

What do you think about the changes to the format? I like them. They give people another chance and one person can be saved. It’s another opportunity for a person to think as they go into the Battle, that if they get voted out, there is another chance.

Is it great to be back in Britain again? Definitely. I love Britain and doing The Voice is a great excuse to be back. I loved performing at the Jubilee celebrations last year.

Aside from The Voice, what else are you working on? I am going to be doing some shows later in the year and I am also working on a new album.

Summing up, it sounds like you are having fun? Definitely. We all get on so brilliantly, it’s great. Have you enjoyed filming the second series? Yes. I feel a lot more comfortable and a lot more relaxed second time around. I know what I am doing and I understand the format of the show more.

What’s the talent been like? I think Danny and Sir Tom will say it is better. For me, the Artists have been more confident of themselves. They know how the show works. Overall, the Blind Auditions were stronger this year. I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but I think we had far more ‘better’ people audition than last year. At the same time, there is that extremity where there were a few ‘worse’ people than last year too!

Have you been pulling at the Artists’ heartstrings to get singers to choose you as a Coach? No, no. I am always real. I am always quite direct and straight to the point. I am honest and I think I am very caring towards the Artists when they’re in front of us. For me, the vocals and personality is what I have been focusing on.

What have you been listening for? Tone, tone and more tone! I don’t look for pitch straight away. I think you can teach pitch, whereas in comparison, for example, I think Sir Tom goes for the big voice.

Are you pleased with your team? Very! I’d like to think my team is the strongest. They are young, fresh, happy and interesting when it comes to the vocals. They are an eclectic mix. I feel so honored to be in a position to be able to give something back. It is the reason why I love doing The Voice so much.

You work very hard with your team. What do you expect in return? I expect them to work hard too. It’s nice when I give them advice to then see they are acting on it. In the past, I became a bit of a cartoon character - and I have told all my team to try to be careful not to just be an entertainer all the time. It’s important to look after your privacy. I am incredibly protective of my team, and their voices - when they go outside in the cold without a scarf, I ask them ‘Where’s your scarf? Where’s your coat?!’

Have you changed as a coach this year? I learnt a lot last year. This time around, I am making sure I make the best use of the time I have with my team. I am strict and I definitely have not been faffing around! For me, it is all about the vocal training. The artists on the show have got an incredible opportunity and it is a great chance for them to learn and take notes. I do the same. When I saw sing, I looked at what she was doing and took notes. It’s important to take advice from other singers.

Have you enjoyed the banter with your fellow coaches? It’s been really good. Sometimes I have to remember I am on TV and calm down when I’m in the chair, but during the filming of the Battle Rounds, I was so shocked at some of the decisions made that I could not hide it in my face – and I said so.

What do you think of the format changes to the show? They are good. With the introduction of the Steals it’s all about a second chance. I would call it a ‘swap’ more than a ‘steal’ as stealing to me is about when you can take something away from someone else. This is a chance for someone who didn’t get through to be picked again. It’s about keeping the show fresh.

Have you stayed in touch with any of your team from the first series? I have had a chance to keep in touch with Vince. Becky is signed to my management company and Cassius still sends me his demos! And I will be there for my team this year as much as I can be. I can’t hold their hand all the time as I have a career too, I tell them they are Artists now; they have to work and so do I! But if I can be at a one-off performance of theirs, or give them some advice on something, then of course I will try and be there.

When the live shows start, you will have shaved your hair off for . Are you looking forward to this? It’s exciting and I can’t wait. I don’t think people believe I will do it but I want to. If shaving my hair off saves some lives, gives people confidence or buys a machine for a hospital ward, then that has to be a good thing. I am not doing this to sell records. I am doing it because I want to help.

Aside from The Voice, what else are you working on? I am working on a new album. I call it my ‘secret album’ but I am really excited about it all. Last year was really mental because I got to perform at the Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics. We will just have to see what this year brings.

Summing up, you sound really happy… I am. I am really enjoying myself and I am having fun. I am nearly 25 now and touch wood it’s all going really great. Did you have any hesitation saying yes to another series? No and the second series has been way better than I expected it would be. When you do something new, there is the excitement about the fact it is new. And so the second time around, you wonder if you are going to be let down. I knew it was going to be fun but I didn’t think it was going to be an up in the volume. It is super duper.

What are the Artists like? A couple of them are amazing. I feel that in my team, they are all unique. I am really pleased with the people in my team.

What were you looking for? Nothing specific. It’s like Christopher Columbus. I knew I was going to , so as long as I found some land, I would go there.

What do you plan to offer to your Artists? People need a sounding board and a person to bounce ideas off so they can believe in themselves. That’s why I am here. I am here to try and help figure it out for them. There are about five different types of singers who come on the show. There is one who has always wanted to sing and who has some unique quality but doesn’t know how to get on; there is a good singer who doesn’t know how to captivate your attention once they have sung a track wonderfully. Then there is that singer who has had a career and wants another shot at it and then you have the person who doesn’t want to be part of the show because it compromises their integrity but their manager wants them to give it a go. Finally there is a singer who is really magnetic but doesn’t have any self-confidence. All of them have an idea but they need me to help.

How much do you want to win this show? I like to think that I won it last year. Sir Tom may have won on the television, but in real life, Tyler James is also a winner. Tyler is a victor. A few weeks ago I was in the studio with him to work with him on a couple of songs.

How do you enjoy being a TV coach? I am an artist, producer, and so I am doing what I do in my career. I go out there, make sure I have the right material, mentor and guide them along the way.

Is there plenty of banter between you, Danny, Sir Tom and Jessie? Oh yes. There have been some harsh words on some of the decisions made but it’s fun. I am really proud of the show.

You became famous for your catchphrase ‘That’s Dope’ last year. Do you have a new one this year?! I have been saying ‘that’s dope’ since I was 14. My mum says it too! It wasn’t a premeditated thing where I thought ‘let’s think up a catchphrase’…

And will you be tweeting during the show this time around? Yes - I like . It’s my way of staying in touch and checking up on whether I am doing right or wrong.

Do you agree with the format changes? Yes. It is better. It means people get an extra chance to go through.

Aside from The Voice, what else are you working on? I am working on a new album that I am really excited about. We have released a new video of ‘Scream and Shout’, which has a totally different vibe and I have just designed a new car for myself.

And finally, you had an epic 2012, including singing at the Jubilee Celebrations. Can this year top it? I hope so. For me it is all about giving things back and I am working on lots of different philanthropy projects. I love working with ideas and my favourite part of The Voice is working with the Artists… How has filming for the second series gone? Really well! The second time around is always going to be easier than the first. We have had such a laugh all getting back together again and everyone has got on bril- liantly. Everyone is really enthusiastic.

Are you more competitive this time around? Always. I kind of need to up my game. I don't want Sir Tom to win again!

What are you looking for? You need somebody that as soon as you hear the artist sing on the radio, you are going to know it is their voice. There are a lot of great voices out there but you need voices that are even harder to find. You need to have something that, no matter where you hear them, you know who they are. I believe I have got it.

Have you been meaner or nicer this year? I am just myself. I am honest.

Have you been blown away by the standard of the talent? Yes. The Voice is an incredible music show and there are some great singers. It's a great platform for the Artists and anyone who comes on the show is really on course to enjoy great success.

Have you found the winner? I am always trying to fight for my team and I know I am in there with a shot!

Do you agree with the format changes? Overall the changes are really, really great. They bring jeopardy into the show and it's been really good fun. I have loved the banter with the other Coaches. At the end of the day, we are there to find the next talented artist in the UK. You can do that and have a lot of fun too.

Thanks to The Voice, you and will.i.am worked together on a song. I know. Amazing. I loved working with Will. We went into the recording studio and I did the track on the last days of recording The Voice.

Do you think The Voice has helped raise your own band's profile? Yes of course. Going on a TV show where we got millions of viewers is an amazing opportunity for us as a band - and also for rock bands. We need to be on this platform. We are also helping out other bands as I think it is important for bands to be represented on a TV show like The Voice.

Do you still keep in touch with last year's team? Yes I do. We have had Max in the studio, I wrote a track for Bo. They are both doing really well.

It's been a busy year for you since the last series of The Voice. You've got a tour, a new album. You must be really pleased with how everything is working out? I am but I also really enjoy finding talent in the UK. We are on tour all this year and we are also going to America, which I am really excited about. I don't mind working hard because I love music and I don't see music as work. Even working with the BBC, they want to share a vision. I make sure I spend all day long trying to make sure it is right and making sure my Artists are relaxed.

And finally, is this going to be a better series? Big time. The reports I am getting back is that it is going to be amazing and I can't wait to see it.

You sound really happy. I am! It's so exciting to be back on The Voice again. How does it feel to be back for a second series? It’s fantastic and it’s been so much fun filming the second series. It feels like we haven’t been away! Everyone knows what they are looking for on-screen and people are savvy too. What is interesting is that the Artists know what to expect and so in so some ways, they are more nervous as they are anxious about whether the chairs will turn around or not. Last year, they didn’t know what was going to happen. There is now more jeopardy involved and so that makes it more exciting.

What do you think of the talent this year? It is really strong. The Coaches seem very pleased and it’s great to watch. For Reggie and I, our role is to be there for the contestants and their families. In many ways, it is often worse for the families as they can’t do anything about it and so we are there to look after them. But the great thing about The Voice is nobody comes off disappointed. The contestants get to spend invaluable time in front of the Coaches and receive feedback on the things that they need to work on. When else would you get that from people like the four Coaches? It is amazing and the Coaches’ advice is priceless.

The format has been changed this series. Do you think this is a good idea? When you look back year’s series, everyone was so excited about the Blind Auditions and everyone loved the Battle Rounds - and so it is always good to change things and keep it fresh. All TV shows should adapt. After all we are making it for people to watch and enjoy.

Is there a lot of camaraderie behind the scenes between you all? It’s so much fun and I really like working with Reggie. We have known each other for years and so it’s lovely working with him. We haven’t been out with the Coaches yet as everyone is so busy. Also when filming days are on, it is really full on.

We loved your dresses last year on the show. Will you be going for a similar style? Yes and it is nice to be able to wear something that is suitable for the evening. As This Morning is on in the daytime, it’s very different. I love doing live TV, and doing The Voice has been the first time I have done a live Saturday night show on the BBC. I do get nervous but I think it is good to have a bit of that.

Do you listen to a lot of music yourself? Before I had children, I was always going to see bands at gigs and I listened to music all the time. Since having my kids, I do try to listen to Classic FM when I can. I find that if I put classical music on, it calms everything down and I can relax.

Aside from The Voice, what other work projects do you have on the go? Well obviously there is This Morning. I am also bringing out a children’s book in the summer. I have written it with my sister and I am really excited about it. We are both really close and it didn’t feel like work writing it together. We laughed so much.

How do you juggle your TV career with family life? I do have help and I just have to be very organized. The Voice is filmed at different times to This Morning and so it all works out well. I do feel very lucky and I do appreciate everything. I want everything to stay as it is right now.

And finally do you think this year’s series is better than ever? I hope so. Everything you do, you want to get better. As there are changes, it is very exciting and so who knows what will happen. I do really enjoy doing The Voice. It’s a great team and it is brilliantly produced. Are you excited to be back for a second series? Yes I am. Everyone is a lot more comfortable this time as people know what they are looking for and they know each other well. The standard of singers is better too. When we were filming the Battle Rounds, the singers were so strong; there was never a clear, obvious winner in each Battle. Everyone tried so hard and that made it very exciting.

What are you enjoying most about the return of The Voice? The Coaches’ banter. They know each other well now and it is lovely seeing how relaxed they are with each other. I am a big music geek and seeing someone sing a song you love is really beautiful and just such a great moment.

During the Blind Auditions, you stand with the families. Do you get swept along with their own emotions? Yes there are moments where you meet a really sweet group of people. There is a cute kid, nice grandma and you can’t help but worry for them. It is really tough when they don’t get through or amazing if they do.

Going on The Voice is such a fantastic opportunity isn’t it? Yes. It’s the most intimidating moment on TV. If you are a singer, it is a great baptism of fire.

Are the coaches being super competitive with each other? The competitive spirit is definitely there. Sir Tom isn’t shy about letting everyone know who won last year…!

You were friends with Jessie J before The Voice came to Britain. Do you find yourself siding with her? Oh no! The last thing I want to do is annoy Sir Tom, Danny or Will. I am remaining as neutral as possible.

Have you hung out with the Coaches a lot? It is very full on and it is pretty intense during filming. You talk as much as you can but the Coaches are so busy being coaches and we are busy with the production team and so there is not much time to hang out.

What is it like working with Holly again? We have known each other for ages. It is always fun working with Holly and it is really nice to work with someone you feel comfortable with and who you can have a giggle with. It was Holly’s birthday during filming and we gave her a cake on the set. It is a nice place to work.

Do you think it was the right decision to tweak the format? Definitely. The Steals are going to make for some fantastic drama and the fact that the Coaches go up against each other to ‘do a steal’ will ramp it up. People do love the auditions and there was no question about it – the Blinds were a massive hit. It will be a really tightly fought show this year. What’s interesting is the contestants come on knowing more about the Coaches this year and who will be best suited to them. Last year, they based it on assumptions, whereas this year, they think ‘ah Danny will choose some fantastic songs’ or ‘Sir Tom will know how to make my voice the star of the performance’.

Aside from The Voice, what else are you working on? I have got two films coming out! I have a small part in the new Paul Potts movie and I am in a film with Anna Friel for Sky. I really like acting and presenting and it’s great to be able to be creative and do stuff I enjoy. I do miss doing the Chart Show for Radio One but at the same time, it is nice to have my weekend back to myself! This year The Voice UK launches a brand new game, The Voice Predictor, a mid-week game and play-along experience. The game will sit on the BBC Voice UK website www..co.uk/thevoice and will also be available on iOS and Android mobile devices to download as an App.

There are two phases of the game available to play throughout the Blind Auditions. The first is the Audition Predictor and will be available to play during the week prior to each Blind Audition show. Players get to experience the auditions like the coaches and hear six exclusive preview clips of Artists auditions who feature in the upcoming show without seeing what they look like. Based on their voice alone, they have to predict whether or not the Artists will make it through on Saturday night.

Once they’ve hit their red buttons, players can then share their predictions on Facebook and Twitter. Then on Saturday night they will learn how well they did, and see how many points they’ve scored compared to other players.

The second game, the Team Predictor is a points based play-along experience designed for two screen play alongside the transmission of the Blind Audition show on Saturday night. As each Artist auditions, the online game players have to predict which team the Artist will join. Players can change their minds as many times as they want as more coaches push their buttons, but the earlier they predict the more points they will get. As viewers play along, they will see who other players are opting for and compare stats of how successful they were in comparison to everyone else.

More sets of games will be launched for the Battles, Knockout and Live stages of the series. In addition to the game-play functionality, the Voice App will also give the user the ability to navigate to the BBC Website where they can watch the latest clips. The Voice UK is a hugely interactive format and for the second series there are even more exciting ways to engage with the show across online and social media. As well as introducing exciting new features to the website, including a live blog which will showcase the best content across all our social platforms, The Voice UK will continue to develop the hugely successful Twitter following, strengthen the Facebook presence, and build reach on YouTube.

Want to know all the inside gossip on the fashion and styling of The Voice UK Coaches and Artists? Then head to the brand new Tumblr page at bbcthevoiceuk.tumblr.com for the lowdown. Want to see what the Coaches and presenters really get up to backstage? Check out the Instagram snaps at instagram.com/ bbcthevoice, and go crazy on Pinterest with anything and everything related to The Voice UK at pinterest.com/bbcthevoiceuk

The BBC Voice website: bbc.co.uk/thevoiceuk Follow us on Twitter @bbcthevoiceuk Like us on Facebook: Facebook/BBCTheVoiceUK Wall to Wall is one of the UK's leading production companies.

For over 20 years the Shed media-owned indie has been supplying broadcasters around the world with ground-breaking, award-winning high quality television content across many genres.

Productions range from the entertainment phenomenon and ratings winner The Voice UK to Oscar-winning feature documentary Man On Wire, leading BBC One drama New Tricks, the internationally acclaimed genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, the innovative living history “House” franchise (which included 1900 House, 1940 House, Edwardian Country House) to single dramas - Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story, the multi-award winning A Very English Marriage and three times Golden Globe nominated The Girl.

Wall to Wall’s productions have won almost every major international television award and it regularly tops UK trade magazine polls as the company rated most highly by its peers; subsequently attracting the top talent from across the industry.

Wall to Wall is part of the Shed Media Group. All Wall to Wall and the Shed Media Group’s programme and format sales are handled by Warner Bros. International Television Production.

Talpa, based in Laren, the , is the holding firm that comprises John de Mol's media activities. The company has its focus on several parts of the international media industry. In the past few years Talpa Holding established itself as a full service development and production company. With Talpa Content the group operates its own creative development unit aimed at formats for television and multimedia con- cepts.

Genres include reality, daily and weekly infotainment magazines, variety, game shows, fiction, comedy and feature film. Talpa Productions is the group's own TV production unit. Talpa Distribution is dedicated to the worldwide licensing of Talpa Content's formats and finished series.

When it comes to the free to air platforms radio and TV, Talpa Media Group is a shareholder in SBS Nederland (www.sbs.nl) which operates three open air TV stations, SBS6, NET5 and Veronica. Radio stations , Radio 10 Gold and Slam FM (www.radio538.nl) are fully owned by Talpa. Talpa Holding (www.talpa.tv) operates its own music division Talpa Music (www.talpamusic.nl). The Voice Publicity Team

Sarah Ellis for BBC [email protected] 07711390922

Harriet Rhodes for BBC [email protected] 07711390970

Catherine Moor for BBC [email protected] 07703 888587

www.bbcpictures.co.uk

Jane Record for BBC [email protected]