The Voice UK is nearing the end now with only a few more episodes before the all-important final on ITV. There will be 12 acts competing this evening (Saturday, March 23) for a place in the semi-final. This year’s judges on The Voice are Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am, Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones and each is hoping their acts will make it through. The Voice UK judges are the same as last year, taking over from previous judges such as Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Boy George, and Paloma Faith.
Who are The Voice UK judges?
There are four judges this year as usual and Emma Willis is back to host the show.
Veteran judges Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones are back with last year’s new additions, Jennifer Hudson and Olly Murs.
Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones have been judges on the show since it first aired in 2012.
In 2015, Sir Tom was absent from the panel and was replaced by Culture Club singer Boy George.
When the show moved ITV in 2016, Sir Tom Jones was invited back.
Here’s everything you need to know about The Voice UK judges.
WHAT TIME DOES THE VOICE START?
Sir Tom Jones is a judge on the Voice UK (Image: BBC)
Sir Tom Jones
Sir Tom Jones is a Welsh singer whose career has spanned six decades.
The 78-year-old rose to fame in the mid-1960s and has since sold over 100 million records with hits such as Delilah and It’s Not Unusual.
Sir Tom said he is listening out for “honesty” in the performers.
He said: “They’ve got to be honest. Sometimes you can tell that they’re singing a certain way because they’ve heard other people doing it or they’re copying the record they’ve heard so they sing it too much like the original.
“There’s no point in that. So I’m looking out for originality. The honesty of the singer has got to come through so you think, I can hear that person.
“Whoever he or she is, I can hear them in there but some people you can’t. And you think I wonder what that person is like because I’m not getting anything from it.”
THE VOICE 2019 START DATE
Will.i.am is a judge on the Voice UK (Image: ITV)
Will.i.am
Will.i.am is best known for being part of the group, The Black Eyed Peas.
He is also a respected music producer, previously working with the likes of Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
Will.i.am said his favourite thing about of The Voice is: “You get to see what people are saying, you get to see what people are thinking, you get to see people’s reactions to the singing and react and act on it.
“The dialogue between the people at home, the people in the audience, the contestants – it’s powerful.”
The Black Eyed Peas singer has been a judge on every series of The Voice to date and even appears on The Voice Kids UK.
WHO WON THE VOICE LAST YEAR?
Jennifer Hudson is a judge on the Voice UK (Image: ITV)
Jennifer Hudson
This is Jennifer Hudson’s second year of judging The Voice UK.
Hudson is an American singer and actress best known or playing Effie White in the movie DreamGirls.
For her portrayal of Effie, she won an Oscar, Golden Globe Award and BAFTA.
She has been cast in the film adaption of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats and will star as young Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic.
Hudson is so stranger to talent shows and came seventh in American Idol in 2004.
Her debut self-titled album won her a Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
Hudson said: “It feels really good to be back. I feel really good about it. It’s good to see everybody. It’s like a family reunion. That’s what it feels like.
“I think we’re all excited. I can only speak for the coaches when I say I think we’re excited and I feel like the contestants are obviously excited as well. It’s a lot of excitement going on!”
WHAT CHANNEL IS THE VOICE ON?
Olly Murs is a judge on the Voice UK (Image: BBC)
Olly Murs
This is Olly Murs’ second year as a judge on The Voice UK.
Murs is best known for appearing on The X Factor 2009 in which he came in third place.
He then went on to launch a successful solo career, with five multi-platinum albums and sold-out arena tours behind him.
He has also co-presented The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack in 2011 and 2012.
The singer even appeared on Channel 4’s Deal or No Deal before finding fame.
Murs said: “Very difficult in the Voice to have a game plan. I just think I’ve got to be really on it with my song choices and make the right decisions. I think I am.
“It’s all going to come down to the public really and I’m hoping I’ve made the right decisions. I really, really hope I can get the winner this year and they can have as great a journey as Ruti did last year.
“My strategy should be to do as Tom did last year. I would say don’t underestimate my team.”
The Voice 2019 continues tonight at 8pm on ITV