will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones return to The Voice Kids in 2018

ITV is excited to announce that will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones will return to their red chairs as coaches on The Voice Kids next year.

Emma Willis will also be back as host of the search for Britain’s best new young vocal talent.

The first series of The Voice Kids was the biggest new entertainment launch of the summer, pulling in an average of 4 million viewers.

Singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur will.i.am – who is also back for his seventh series of The Voice UK in January - is one of the most successful artists in the world, notching up 39 top 40 entries and winning seven Grammy Awards.

He has produced international artists including Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Nicky Minaj while his group The Black Eyed Peas have sold more than 76 million records globally.

He said: “I am honoured to back on The Voice Kids, inspiring and sending kids on their way to do awesome stuff with their lives. Danny is amazing and Pixie is awesome. Pixie balances off the wild antics Danny and I have!”

Pixie – who won the first series of The Voice Kids with her act Jess Folley - began her music career at the age of 15 and has gone on to sell more than 4 million singles and 1.6 million albums worldwide, clocking up three UK number one singles in the process.

She has collaborated with artists including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie and John Legend and received rave reviews for her turn as Holly Golightly in the West End production of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

She said: “I’m so delighted to be back for series two of The Voice Kids.

“I had the best time doing this show and was over the moon that Jess, from my team, won. All the kids are incredible and I can’t wait to see what’s in store and who auditions for series two.

“I’m also looking forward to spending time with Will and Danny again and having our Voice Kids family back!”

Danny is best known for being one-quarter of the multi-platinum British pop rock group McFly, who have sold more than 10 million records worldwide and notched up seven UK number one singles.

The Bolton-born artist has also established himself as a songwriter and producer and has collaborated over the years with a wide range of artists including Busted, Taio Cruz and One Direction.

Danny said: “I had an amazing time on the first series of The Voice Kids and I’m super excited to be returning to the red chair, hitting the button again and uncovering some of the best UK talent our youth has to offer.

“I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Pixie and Will - the energy and friendship we have makes the show so much more enjoyable and my job a lot easier.

“The talent on the show makes me so proud of what the kids can achieve and what talent we have to offer in the UK. Hopefully this year I can find the winner!”

Emma Willis returns to hosting duties on The Voice Kids following the next series of The Voice UK.

She said: “I am so happy we will get to see all of those wonderful little people with massive voices who will no doubt melt our hearts all over again.”

The Voice Kids is again open to solo singers between the ages of seven and 14, with the winner receiving a life changing prize to be announced in due course.

The show will follow the new series of The Voice UK with coaches will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Sir Tom Jones and Olly Murs in January.

ITV Head of Entertainment Commissioning Siobhan Greene said: “We are so happy The Voice Kids is returning to ITV in 2018. There was such a positive response to this uplifting and joyful show and everyone's socks were knocked off by the talent of the kids we found. So time to welcome back will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones and Emma Willis. We all can't wait to get going.”

The Voice Kids is an ITV Studios production of a Talpa format.