Singer Alesha Dixon has promised to bring energy and vibes to The Voice UK after joining the television talent show as co-host alongside Stacey Solomon in Manchester.
Dixon and Solomon are replacing long-standing presenter Emma Willis, who departed the commercial network after landing the coveted role of hosting BBC ballroom competition Strictly Come Dancing.
The major presenter shake-up comes amid ongoing controversy as veteran coach Sir Tom Jones hit out at ITV bosses, claiming he was axed at the last minute after 13 years on the show's judging panel.
Dixon, 47, took to Instagram on Tuesday to showcase a racy black cut-out maxi dress that highlighted her figure as she posed on the studio set.
Striking a pose on top of a large stage chest bearing branding for The Voice UK, the television personality shared her excitement for the upcoming series with her social media followers.
Accompanying the photos, she wrote: "Sitting on Business! Host! Excited to bring some energy & vibes to the team."
Dixon brings extensive experience in television entertainment to the production, having previously served as a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent and BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing, which she won as a contestant in 2007 following her musical breakthrough with R&B girl group Mis-Teeq.
Her co-host Solomon first achieved public fame as a finalist on The X Factor in 2009 before winning I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and presenting popular television formats including Sort Your Life Out and Loose Women.
Public outrage over Sir Tom Jones exit
The arrival of the new hosting pair comes as public anger grows regarding the departure of Sir Tom from the coaching panel. The 86-year-old Welsh singer, renowned worldwide for hit records such as It's Not Unusual, Delilah, and Sex Bomb, insisted that leaving the programme was not his choice.
Sir Tom stated that ITV executives fired him due to a financial difficulty with insurance, ending his 13-year involvement with the UK franchise of the international singing competition format.
In an official statement confirming the revised line-up, ITV bosses acknowledged the veteran musician's contribution over more than a decade of broadcasts.
ITV bosses stated: "ITV would like to thank the irreplaceable Sir Tom Jones for all his years on The Voice UK, and the countless incredible and unforgettable moments he gave the show. He has brought joy to audiences, and to every singer who performed for him and with him."
Despite the official statement, viewers watching the current series, which returned to television screens at the end of August featuring pre-recorded appearances by Sir Tom, flooded social media platform X to criticize the decision.
Viewers expressed frustration as the episodes aired, demanding to know why producers chose to remove Sir Tom from future series of the talent competition.
One social media user wrote: "Can't believe they've sacked the legend Tom Jones and replaced him with Stacey Solomon. What does she know about musical talent? About mentoring a singer? ITV are making a mockery of #thevoice"
Another viewer posted: "Why the f**k are they getting rid of Tom Jones on The Voice again?? He’s the only one who actually knows how to sing out of the judges."
Other fans posted repeated messages urging producers to keep Sir Tom, while one user suggested keeping the singer and getting rid of the show's producer instead.
Tears and confrontation during Manchester filming
The atmosphere behind the scenes has reportedly worsened during production for the new series, which began filming earlier this month in Manchester. Long-serving coach Will.i.am was reported to be in tears over Sir Tom's exit and furious about his colleague's dismissal.
The American rapper and producer, who founded the hip-hop group The Black Eyed Peas, is the only coach to have appeared on every series of the UK talent show since its launch.
A source told The Sun that Will.i.am had made no secret of how he felt regarding Sir Tom's sacking, leaving production staff nervous ahead of the opening recording session on Friday in Manchester.
According to the source, the musician broke down in tears during the session and stated that the only reason he had returned to his role was because he had received Sir Tom's personal blessing.
Tensions escalated further when the coaches were introduced to the studio audience. Producers requested that the panel begin by discussing the upcoming season and asked Will.i.am to initiate the conversation.
The source stated: "It was so awkward, he crossed his arms like a child and Kelly had to jump in instead to talk about how excited she was to be back."
New coaching panel faces set tension
Rowland, the Grammy-winning former member of R&B group Destiny's Child, returns to the coaching panel alongside Will.i.am. The updated panel also features new additions Cheryl, the former Girls Aloud singer and X Factor judge, and Manchester rapper Aitch.
However, sources revealed that any initial excitement regarding the arrival of Cheryl and Aitch on the show has been replaced by ongoing awkwardness on set following the row over Sir Tom's exit.
Representatives for ITV and Will.i.am have been contacted by the Daily Mail for comment regarding the production incidents and the circumstances surrounding Sir Tom's departure.
