The hiring of Kylie Minogue and Emma Willis represents a "last throw of the dice" for talent show The Voice, according to a BBC source.
The Corporation is contracted to broadcast one more series of the show, which has never quite ignited the ratings as it would have liked, and it is understood that hiring a new coach in Kylie, and replacing host Holly Willoughby with Big Brother presenter Emma Willis, could represent the final attempt to bring it back to life.
“If this doesn't work nothing will,” said the source. “We have already changed the format and had more of the swivel chair action and the format cannot be changed any more.
“We will see if new personalities can inject more life into the show.”
Despite early success in the ratings for the first series, viewers soon fell away as the programme failed to compete against ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent. A similar pattern emerged in season two where the average audience ratings dropped from 9.2m to 7.6m.
The BBC has committed to a third series beginning in January, but to nothing beyond that.
A spokeswoman confirmed that The Voice was on a rolling contract which is renewed each year but declined to comment on the notion that the recent changes represented a final chance for the show.
Willis will replace Willoughby while co-host, Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates, will also leave. His replacement has yet to be announced.
It has already been confirmed that two of the four original coaches, Jessie J and Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue won’t return for the third run of the music show, with big name signing Minogue filling one of the vacant slots.
The fourth seat alongside Tom Jones and will.i.am is still available and the BBC is currently hoping to lure a big name.
Based on a Dutch format, The Voice UK has cost the Corporation a reported £22m for the two series aired to date.
http://www.radiotimes.com/news...st-throw-of-the-dice