The Voice UK's new double chair explained as show undergoes huge change
Topics: TV And Film
Jess Hardiman
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: TV And Film
A new season of The Voice is finally upon us, and this year’s series promises a huge ‘new twist’.
Last year’s show saw Jen and Liv crowned champions, having been placed under will.i.am’s tutelage after host Emma Willis pressed the button when she swapped places with the singer.
This time, we’ve got three new judges in the form of LeAnn Rimes, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones, who join veterans Tom Jones and will.i.am.
Danny and Tom – bandmates from McFly and supergroup Busted – will be part of the show’s brand new twist, as they’ll be in the famed ‘double chair’ that’s become a tried-and-tested feature on the US show after being introduced earlier this year.
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The double chair was brought in for season 25 of The Voice US, having been custom build for judges Dan and Shay.
While it looks the same as the signature red chairs, it sees two seats sharing a single button in the middle, meaning the duo either have to agree on their decision – or risk fallout if someone makes the call alone.
"It’s two chairs, but one button, and they’re actually connected," Dan explained to Variety ahead of the series.
"It’s kind of one big platform. It’s definitely a spectacle."
In an interview ahead of the new show, Tom said there hadn’t really been any ‘disagreements’ as a result of the new setup, but that they only get 90 seconds to make their choice.
“So sometimes we might second guess ourselves, whilst trying to figure out what each other are thinking,” he said.
“You never want to talk over someone's performance, so we’re trying to work out each other’s facial expressions.”
He continued: “There was one audition where Danny literally grabbed my hand to press the button - because I was wavering and taking my time.”
Danny said another moment saw him asking his co-judge ‘what are you doing?!’, with Tom adding: “That’s part of the double chair. You have to trust your partner. If Danny hears something that I don’t, you have to trust your partner..
Danny then joked: “You have to telepathically talk!”
The Voice UK airs on Saturdays at 8pm on ITV and ITVX.