The Voice UK is back, with new aspiring artists – and new celeb mentors. Joining OG coaches will.i.am and Tom Jones are this series’ freshest recruits – LeAnn Rimes and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.
Tom, 39, and Danny, 38, are making history as the first coaching duo on the show – an opportunity that allowed them to draw on over two decades of experience in McFly, as well as spend some quality time together in their custom-made double red chair.
Danny – who forms a quarter of McFly with Tom, Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter – says, "Tom and I have shared so many special moments over the years. But this is great for us because since day one, writing Room On The 3rd Floor [their debut album] and living with Tom’s parents, we’ve not had time on our own without the other boys."
The premise of The Voice is essentially a talent show’s Love Is Blind – contestants audition without being seen by the coaches. If Tom, Will, LeAnn, and Tom and Danny like what they hear, they turn around and vie to get them on their team. Otherwise, the chairs remain unturned and the performer leaves the competition without any feedback.
Tom says, "Danny and I have been standing on stage with each other for 22 years, so that’s the easy bit. I think the hard bit is suddenly feeling the pressure that the future of someone’s career is in your hands. But being in a band, it’s this really unique bond. Now, being able to take that away from our normal environment – and offer that advice and wisdom to someone who’s right at the beginning and starting out – it’s an amazing feeling."
Once Tom and Danny have built their team of 10, former Little Mix singer-turned-solo star Perrie Edwards is roped in to help with the next stage of the competition. "She just brought a completely fresh ear on everything," Danny says. "We needed that back up and acknowledgement to make us confident in our decision-making."
And as for which McFly member they would struggle to share a chair with? "Harry," Tom laughs. "He’d just dominate all the time!"
