The Voice will be filmed without an audience due to social distancing rules
AFTER they were forced to postpone filming until later this year, I can confirm The Voice’s live finals will go ahead – but there will be no studio audience.
It’s the first time in the show’s eight-year history that it will be filmed without a crowd.
Insiders at ITV, who nabbed the rights for the show from the BBC in 2015, told me how bosses had come up with the plan after seeing the success of The Voice Kids final in Germany in April, which used canned cheering and applause.
A source said: “The audition and knockout stages of The Voice had all been pre-recorded but now it’s planned that the semi-final and final will be filmed live without an audience.
“There had been some debate about the format but the German kids’ version of the show went down a storm and lost nothing by having no audience.
“The idea is that coaches Olly Murs, Meghan Trainor, Will.I.am and Sir Tom Jones will be live in the studio and will sit in the red chairs two metres apart from each other.
“The hopefuls will perform as normal and applause or other audience noises will be played through speakers.
“It sounds strange but the concept works really well and currently it’s the only way Voice bosses think they can be certain that the finals will go ahead.
“They need to be able to ensure the safety of the singers, the coaches and everyone else involved in the production.
“Of course, if the guidelines around TV production change then so will the plans.”
The semi-final was due to air on ITV on March 28, with the final a week later on April 4.
It is now hoped that the two shows can be filmed in the autumn.
A spokeswoman for ITV said: “No decision has been taken regarding the return of filming for The Voice UK.
“We will be following all Government guidelines, with the safety of the talent and public being at the forefront of any decisions.”
They will be praying it doesn’t have to go up against Strictly.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Safari tribute
CAMERAS are back at Longleat Safari in Wiltshire as work on a new series of Animal Park resumes after lockdown.
Hosted by Ben Fogle and Kate Humble, it will air later this year.
It will be poignant as it will mark the show’s 20th anniversary, and also pay tribute to the late eccentric Lord Bath, whose estate houses the animal park.
Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath, sadly died in April aged 87 from Covid-19.
bizbit
IN the wake of international Black Lives Matter protests, BBC Four will air documentary series, Black And British: A Forgotten History, from next week. It is written and presented by historian David Olusoga.
Fast food is clucky for some
VEGETARIANS, look away now. A new series focusing on chicken shop chain KFC is coming to Channel 4.
The as-yet untitled show will follow the goings-on at some of its restaurants – and at other takeaways such as McDonald’s – as the public clamours for a fast-food fix following the easing of lockdown.
In the past few weeks KFC and McDonald’s have been gradually reopening restaurants for delivery or takeaway only.
Fans in cars have been queueing for hours as they desperately try to snap up fried chicken or burgers, with some turned away for blocking roads.
At the burger chain, McBouncers have also been hired to stop people walking into the restaurants, which remain closed.
A source said: “The show will follow the trials and tribulations of those on the frontline of the industry as the doors are opened to the public once again.
“People have been pining for normality, and a Happy Meal or a Bargain Bucket gives them that.”
bizbit
MATHEW Horne has branded rumours of an impending sequel to the Gavin & Stacey Christmas special “ridiculous”. He says Covid-19 prevented James Corden and Ruth Jones getting together to write one.
Comedy winning
THE shortlists for the Comedy Women In Print Prize have been revealed.
Set up by comedian Helen Lederer, there are three categories – Published Comic Novel, Unpublished Comic Novel and Humorous Graphic Novel.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Judges include author Marian Keyes, actress and screenwriter Joanna Scanlan and comedian Lolly Adefope.
See who’s battling it out for the gongs at .
Most read in Bizarre
must watch
WHAT? The A Word, BBC1, 9pm
WHY? The final episode in this series exploring the issue of autism sees Rebecca nearly having to give birth on a roadside while Ben has some bad news for Alison.
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]