Don't Phunk With My Rules! will.i.am joins Jessie J as the second coach on The Voice
By Nadia Mendoza
Last updated at 2:39 PM on 2nd December 2011
He's already flirted with UK television viewers, joining Cheryl Cole on The X Factor to co-judge last year.
And now will.i.am will venture onto screens this side of the Atlantic again to star on the hotly-anticipated The Voice.
The Black Eyed Peas star is the second coach to be confirmed on the reality series, alongside Jessie J and two as of yet unnamed celebrities.
Reality TV king: will.i.am is to become a UK household name after signing up for the British version of The Voice
The rapper said: 'I'm proud to be doing The Voice UK because the UK was the first place I saw success.
'It’s the place I'm the most creative outside of home.'
BBC One Controller Danny Cohen added: 'I am thrilled that will.i.am has signed up to be a coach on The Voice.
'He is a huge star who will bring a unique creativity to the show.'
The show, due to broadcast on BBC One in spring 2012, will be presented by This Morning beauty Holly Willoughby, 30, and Reggie Yates, 28.
Hitting UK shores: will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas will join Jessie J as a coach
However, the former Dancing On Ice host is unlikely to please her bosses at ITV as she joins forces with the rival channel.
When The Voice was launched in the US this year it was marketed as a rival to The X Factor, which is broadcast on Holly's current employer ITV.
Speculation was rife last week when it was announced Willoughby would not be returning to the skating series this winter, with axed Daybreak host Christine Bleakley taking her place.
New gig: Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates have been announced the hosts of new talent show The Voice
Holly refused to be drawn on the rumours that she had signed on for The Voice gig, telling fans instead that all will be revealed 'next week.'
When she eventually released a statement, she said: 'I’m so excited to be hosting The Voice.
'When it launched in America I watched one of the shows and thought it was just a fantastic format, and when I heard it was coming to the UK I thought to myself how incredible it would be to be a part of it.
X Factor's new rival: Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton are the celebrity mentors on the US version of The Voice
Mentor: Jessie J is the first singer confirmed to be playing judge and coach
'It’s going to be one rollercoaster of a ride and I can’t wait to get started!'
Her co-host Yates added: 'I’m so delighted to get this job and be part of such a credible music show.
'The format of The Voice in America has worked brilliantly and I have no doubt it will be just as successful on British TV. '
Leaving: Last week it was announced that Holly will be not returning to Dancing On Ice this season
The US show stars Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton as mentors who blindly select and judge the contestants based solely on their voice.
Jessie J has been confirmed as the first celebrity coach for the UK version.
Last week Holly wishes her successor well following the announcement that she was leaving Dancing On Ice.
Skating in her shoes: Axed Daybreak host Christine Bleakley was announced as her replacement
Willougby tweeted: 'Good luck to Christine Bleakley on this years Dancing on Ice. It's a truely (sic) magical show and you will love it. I'll miss you all very much!'
Bleakley said: 'My only concern was what a big task it is to follow the brilliant Holly and I can only promise her, Phillip and everyone at home that they couldn't have a bigger fan of the show on board.'
Schofield said he was 'absolutely delighted' that Bleakley was joining the show which was won last year by ex-EastEnders actor Sam Attwater.
Staying put: Holly will continue duties on This Morning alongside Phillip Schofield
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2069089/The-Voice-Will-joins-Jessie-J-second-coach.html#ixzz1fVPvbIUU
