Exclusive
VOICE CHOICE
Music superstar lined up to become new coach on The Voice after Olly Murs was axed in panel shake-up
She would be a great mentor given her own highs and lows since becoming an overnight sensation as a teenager
I CAN exclusively reveal country music star LeAnn Rimes is leading the race to join a revamped The Voice UK.
There are TWO empty spinning red chairs on the talent show after Olly Murs and Anne-Marie were axed as part of a huge shake-up.
4
And double Grammy winner LeAnn appears to be excited about it — letting the cat out of the bag on Instagram after revealing she was dropping by Manchester, where ITV films the show.
A source said: “LeAnn is meeting with ITV about possibly joining The Voice UK as a coach.
“It’s very early days but they think they could carve up a good deal.
“LeAnn is an incredible talent and her record of awards and record sales speak for themselves.
READ MORE ON THE VOICE
“ITV thinks she would make an incredible coach and LeAnn is excited to see if she can make it work with her schedule.”
LeAnn only has three dates left on her The Story So Far . . . tour — including a huge performance at London’s O2 Arena on May 8.
Fresher feel
If ITV does manage to get LeAnn on board, she would be sitting on the panel alongside Sir Tom Jones and Will.i.am.
LeAnn would be the perfect signing and be a great mentor given her own highs and lows since becoming an overnight sensation as a teenager with her songs Blue and How Do I Live.
Most read in News TV
She’s since had 40 chart singles during a 30-year pop career, and has been an advocate for mental health after suffering from stress and anxiety.
And she’s not camera-shy thanks to her own reality show with actor hubby Eddie Cibrian.
Last year we revealed that Olly and Anne-Marie had been given the boot as ITV worked to give the show a fresher feel.
While Anne-Marie went quietly, Olly admitted he was gutted at finding out he had lost the gig.
I’m sure there’s a string of artists keen for a spin on The Voice — but LeAnn’s country background would bring a whole new vibe.
TILLIE’S LANDED TOT JOB
TILLIE Amartey has found herself an unlikely new job as a babysitter after taking part in Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special.
The Waterloo Road actress got pally with her professional dance partner Neil Jones, and now spends time watching Havana, his baby daughter with Chyna Mills.
4
She tells me: “I knew I couldn’t dance, but I was keen to give it a whirl, so when I got offered to do the Strictly special, I couldn’t say no.
“Being partnered with Neil was the cherry on top – and now I babysit for him with his little daughter, Havana, which is a win-win.
“It was the best, most fun and supportive environment I’ve been in, and we’ve all come away from it like family.”
Waterloo Road airs on Tuesdays on BBC One at 8pm, and is available to stream on iPlayer.
SOMETHING very spooky is happening in new BBC Three show Domino Day.
It tells the story of a young witch, played by Siena Kelly, being hunted by a coven convinced she has the power to destroy everything and everyone around her.
The series starts at 9pm on January 31.
STACEY SLEEPS OVER…IN BROTHEL
STACEY Dooley has the pleasure of visiting a brothel for the second series of her show across the pond.
The documentary maker has returned to the States for more Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over USA and travels across South Florida, South Dakota and Nevada lifting the lid on unusual lifestyles.
4
Making a controversial start, she heads to the Mustang Ranch in Nevada, which is famed for being the state’s oldest licenced brothel, having opened in 1971.
It’s run by Madams Jennifer and Tara, who used to be in the business themselves, and who receive up to 20 new applications a DAY to work at the establishment.
Stacey meets the venue’s working women, including the oldest courtesan – 68-year-old Erica.
Discussing the series, which airs on W and UKTV this March, she teases: “I’m very excited to give viewers a peek into these different lifestyles.
“Strap in, we’ve got some characters for you this year!”
SELENA Gomez and David Henrie have reunited for a sequel of Noughties Disney Channel hit Wizards Of Waverly Place.
They will reprise their roles as magical siblings Alex and Justin Russo, with new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele and Mimi Gianopulos.
GEORGE RAN OUT OF SPACE
THERE’S only one thing George Clarke loves more than architecture – space.
The Amazing Spaces host had to buy another suitcase after going on a spending spree at space agency NASA while filming Channel 4 show Adventures in Americana.
4
Discussing the series which starts on Sunday, he said: “Filming at NASA was one of the greatest moments of my life – I went crazy at the shop.
“My kids wondered why they had hoodies, T-shirts, key rings and water bottles that were all NASA-branded.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“And I got a small model replica of the lunar capsule that landed on the moon, which is in my studio.”
Lucky it wasn’t a scale model, George, or you’d need more than an extra bag.
Topics