Alesha Dixon turned up the heat in a daring black crop top and cut-out skirt as she performed at Ovo Arena, Wembley, days after being confirmed as the new host of The Voice UK alongside Stacey Solomon.
The singer, known for her work as a judge on Britain's Got Talent and as a former member of the girl group Mis-Teeq, took to the stage for a one-off gig reuniting her with bandmates Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington to mark the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Lickin on Both Sides.
Ahead of the show, Dixon shared Instagram snaps from backstage showing off her figure in a black and yellow crop top and a black skirt with thigh-high side splits, flashing her toned abs in the racy leather-look costume. She was all smiles in the pictures.
New role on The Voice UK
The performance came shortly after it was revealed that Dixon and Stacey Solomon will replace Emma Willis as hosts of The Voice UK. Willis is moving on to present BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
Tom Jones axed from the panel
The hosting change comes amid separate controversy over the show's judging panel. Sir Tom Jones, 86, has hit out at ITV after being dropped from his seat, which he held for 13 years, with the new lineup then announced as including Cheryl as a coach.
Jones has insisted it was not his decision to leave and said ITV fired him because of a financial difficulty with insurance.
ITV confirmed the new coaching lineup with a statement thanking Jones: "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."
Cheryl's TV comeback
Cheryl, formerly of Girls Aloud, was unveiled as a coach on the ITV show, marking her return to television after a lengthy break from the spotlight following the death of her ex, Liam Payne. She was pictured arriving at a studio in Salford to film the show's blind auditions alongside fellow new coach Aitch.
Rapper Aitch was the front-runner to replace McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher, who have already announced they are leaving the show.
will.i.am's fury
Fellow coach will.i.am, who remains on the panel alongside Kelly Rowland, has reportedly vented his fury over Jones being dropped, with sources claiming he has made his feelings known backstage.
A source said that while filming usually kicks off with welcome drinks at a five-star hotel, this year things are different: "It's seriously awkward as will.i.am is furious with how producers have handled things and is making his feelings known behind the scenes."
The source told The Sun it has been uncomfortable for Cheryl, who is close to will.i.am and has looked up to Rowland throughout her career: "This is her big TV comeback and right now ITV are letting her be the fall guy for taking Sir Tom's seat. None of this is her fault, it's been handled atrociously by the bosses."
ITV responds
The Daily Mail contacted will.i.am and ITV for comment. An ITV spokesman said: "We have loved working with Sir Tom Jones over the past nine years on The Voice UK. While he will no longer be a full-time coach on series 15, we continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series."
Delays and a two-year gap
Series 14 of The Voice UK is currently airing on ITV, having been delayed twice due to scheduling changes. Filming for the pre-recorded auditions took place in the first half of 2024, meaning that by the time the live finals air in a few weeks' time, there will have been a two-year gap since filming took place. It has not been confirmed whether Jones will return for the live finale.
Jones was brought back as a judge when the show moved to ITV in 2017. In total, the singing competition has had 11 celebrity coaches across its 14-year run.
