Kylie Minogue To Join ‘The Voice’

Kylie Minogue has signed up to replace Jessie J as a “coach” on the BBC1 talent series The Voice next year.

The Australian star is believed to have been offered a £500,000 deal to join the series, which has been criticised for failing to produce hit artists. Minogue will join will.i.am and Tom Jones for the new series.

“I’m very excited,” the Australian singer said. “I love the concept of the show and have been an avid viewer of both series. Will I be competitive? Probably more than even I imagine. Watch this space.”

Signing Minogue, who has sold 68 million records, is a coup for the BBC, which lost the services of Jessie J and Danny O’Donoghue from the judging panel.

“In terms of pop royalty, it really doesn’t get much better than Kylie,” said Moira Ross of The Voice UK’s production company, Wall To Wall. “With more than two decades of global success under her belt, I know she’ll bring something truly special to the coaching line-up.”

The second series of The Voice suffered falling ratings, despite several tweaks to make the show more appealing.

However the final, in which Andrea Begley was crowned victor, outperformed the 2012 equivalent, with 7.95 million tuning in. The third Voice series will begin in January 2014.

Ms Minogue’s fee will be scrutinised at a time when the BBC has been criticised for excessive spending on executive pay.

Her sister Dannii served as a judge on ITV’s rival talent show The X Factor between 2007 and 2010. Producer and DJ Will.i.am said he hoped Kylie would bring “new energy” to the show.

He said: “While I miss Danny and Jessie, I’m excited to be returning for season three and to work with Kylie and Tom. Together we will mix it up and bring new energy and ideas to the show.”

Sir Tom said: “I’m really looking forward to series three of The Voice UK and although I’ll miss Jessie and Danny, Kylie and the fourth coach will be a welcome addition to the line-up.”

The fourth coach for the new series is yet to be announced.