Blake Shelton has confirmed he is leaving his role as a coach on The Voice.
The singer has appeared on the NBC show since its first season, which aired in 2011 with a panel that also included Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and CeeLo Green.
The Voice is currently in the midst of its 22nd installment and features Shelton, Gwen Stefani, John Legend and former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello as coaches.
The singing competition will return for Season 23 in early 2023 and Shelton will leave after that season.
Shelton, who met his wife Stefani on the show, announced the departure on his Instagram story on October 11.
He wrote: "I've been wrestling with this for a while and I've decided that it's time for me to step away from The Voice after next season.
"The show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me. It's been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew and catering people, you are the best. It takes a lot of hard work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I've made lifelong buds with [host] Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!
"I have to give a huge shouts to the singers—the 'Voices,' who come on this stage season after season and amaze us with their talent and a special thanks to those who chose me to be their coach. Lastly, it's about y'all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches, and everyone at The Voice who are chasing our dreams. It would not happen without you!"
Reacting to news of Shelton's departure Todd Tilghman, who won Season 18 of The Voice as part of Team Blake in 2020, told Newsweek: "I love Blake. His departure from the show is certainly the end of an era, and I'm grateful I became part of the Voice family while he was there. Working with Blake on The Voice was always fun, lots of laughs, but it was especially challenging too.
"Because we worked together just as COVID shut down the world so much of what we did was remote. He really is a stellar guy, and he's continued to be good to me since my season ended. I know the show won't be the same without him but I say Godspeed, friend."
Following Shelton's announcement, it was confirmed that Legend, Cabello and Stefani will be replaced as coaches for his final season.
One Direction's Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper are joining the show for the first time, while long-time coach Kelly Clarkson, who has not appeared on Season 22, is returning.
They all teased the news by posting the peace sign emoji on their individual Instagram accounts. The Voice then confirmed the lineup by posting from its own Instagram: "See you in 2023 @niallhoran @blakeshelton @kellyclarkson @chancetherapper."
Though it has not been confirmed who will take Shelton's spot when he does leave, the star has previously spoken about who he would want to replace him on The Voice.
Back in 2017, when asked by Yahoo Entertainment who should take his place if he left, Shelton named David Lee Roth, lead vocalist of Van Halen, as his successor.
He said: "We need somebody that's, like, going to come in swinging. So, I'm gonna say David Lee Roth! ... I want to see that! Come on! Let's get Dave in here."
Newsweek has contacted representatives for Shelton and Roth for comment.
The Voice continues on NBC on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c. Episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Laura Donaldson is a Newsweek Film and TV Reporter (SEO), based in Edinburgh, U.K. Her focus is on reality TV. ... Read more
