ITV has announced a major shake-up for its popular singing competition The Voice UK, introducing an entirely new presenting duo alongside significant alterations to the coaching panel. The upcoming series will see television personalities Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon take over hosting duties.

The pair step into the role previously held by Emma Willis, who anchored the programme for more than a decade beginning in 2014. Willis recently departed the network to lead the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, though viewers can still catch her presenting the remainder of the current season of The Voice UK, which was filmed in advance last year.

Alongside the new hosts, the network confirmed that pop singer Cheryl and Manchester-born rapper Aitch will occupy two of the program's iconic red coaching chairs. Cheryl rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Girls Aloud and later established a successful solo career, while also judging on ITV's rival singing show The X Factor during its peak years. Aitch is a chart-topping rapper known for major singles including Rain and Baby.

The fresh coaching lineup also retains veteran presence. Will.I.Am, who has evaluated contestants since the show's very first UK series, will return alongside Destiny's Child vocalist Kelly Rowland.

The overhaul follows recent departures from the coaching panel. Earlier in the week, veteran Welsh vocalist Sir Tom Jones revealed he would not be returning after being offered a heavily reduced position. The 86-year-old expressed frustration over the decision, attributing the change to financial difficulties surrounding insurance policies, though network statements also pointed toward a broader creative refresh. Additionally, McFly members Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones will not come back after sharing a coaching chair for the past two seasons.

Filming for the revamped series officially commenced on Friday, signaling a new chapter for the musical competition. Meanwhile, outgoing host Emma Willis will simultaneously appear on Saturday night television this autumn across rival networks, fronting the new series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One beginning September 19 alongside fellow new presenters Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.