The Voice UK 2017: Coaches insist the show WILL produce a star when it launches on ITV

The Voice UK’s new coaching line-up, Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, Gavin Rossdale and Jennifer Hudson, have displayed their confidence that the show will produce a major star for the first time this year.

The talent show finally returns this weekend after moving to ITV, who acquired the rights to the singing competition in 2015, but there have been a few changes to the original format on the BBC.

As well as a drastic shake-up at the blind auditions, this year’s winner will scoop a life-changing record contract with music giants Polydor Records, home to global music stars Take That and Ellie Goulding. Not bad, eh?

The 2017 coaches believe the addition of this new prize will help the eventual winner to become a major recording artist, with the ’right songs’ being a contributing factor to their prospective chart success.

Will.i.am, who has featured as a coach on The Voice UK since its inception in 2012, explained: “I think it boils down to song choice and that’s one of the real reasons why we haven’t seen a superstar from the show, because the songs that they’ve been singing have been like, ‘Whatever.’

“And that’s one of the reasons why I really feel Polydor in the mix is going to help change that because getting the right songs for the artist is important.”

Speaking at The Voice UK’s press launch on Wednesday, the Black Eyed Peas frontman, who has worked with the British record label for 15 years, added: “I just go back to my experience. Every time we would have a new record we would sit down and come to Polydor and play the music for the team and they would help us pick the single.

“That’s the care and attention that Polydor put into this scenario that this show has been missing, so I’m really, really excited that we have great partners that are going to help bring a star.”

Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson, who rose to fame as a finalist on American Idol in 2004, told The Sun: “I think with the combination of us it will help them to learn a lot so they can make it in the industry.

“It takes more than just talent, it’s just as much about business. We can teach them to last and sustain, and know how to be in this game. I think we might actually have more than one star. Stars.”

The Voice UK starts on ITV at 8PM on Saturday night.