The Voice shares first-look at new line-up after Blake Shelton's surprise exit

22 July 2023 , 12:32
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The Voice shares first-look at new line-up after Blake Shelton
The Voice shares first-look at new line-up after Blake Shelton's surprise exit

The Voice US fans have been given a first-look at the latest coaching line-up together in a photo that was shared ahead of the new season, which launches in just two months' time.

The upcoming season of the popular NBC show will be the first season without original coach Blake Shelton, 47 - following the announcement last year that he was leaving.

He's been replaced by fellow country singer Reba McEntire, 68 - who previously appeared as an advisor - who was unveiled as the latest addition to the coaching panel in May.

She joins John Legend, 44, Gwen Stefani, 53, and Niall Horan, 29. Longtime coaches John and Gwen are back after a hiatus, whilst Niall returns for his second season.

The four coaches are understood to have been seen together for the first time alongside host Carson Daly, 50, in a selfie that was shared on social media earlier this week.

John Legend talks about sentimental family link to his newborn daughter's name qhidqxiqeririnvJohn Legend talks about sentimental family link to his newborn daughter's name
The Voice shares first-look at new line-up after Blake Shelton's surprise exitThe Voice US, hosted by Carson Daly (top), now features Gwen Stefani (left), Niall Horan (centre left), Reba McEntire (centre right) and John Legend (right) on the coaching panel (@NBCTheVoice/twitter)

The photo showed the group backstage whilst working on the latest season of The Voice, with the blind auditions understood to have begun filming a few weeks ago.

It was shared on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, prompting excitement among fans ahead of the show's return for its new season in the coming months.

The recent tweet read: "Calling all fans to the stage! #TheVoice returns with [Reba, John, Gwen and Niall] Sept 25th 8/7c on @nbc and streaming on @peacock".

"Looking forward to it," replied one fan. Another tweeted: "I can't wait". Whilst a third said: "Although, I am going to miss Blake. I can't wait to see Reba in that red chair!"

The Voice shares first-look at new line-up after Blake Shelton's surprise exitThe new season marks the first one without original coach Blake Shelton (Evans Vestal Ward/NBC via Getty Images)

Blake had been among the coaches on the debut season of the American version of The Voice, which launched in 2011. He'd appeared in all 22 seasons since then too.

Over the years, he'd worked alongside various other coaches, including his wife Gwen, who joined the panel in 2014 and has featured sporadically in the years since.

Announcing his departure from the NBC series last year, Blake said: "This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me."

And amid the release of his final episode, which aired in May, he said that it was "bittersweet" and added that he'd "made lifelong friends and memories" over the years.

Joel Leaver

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