The world-renowned rapper and music producer has told BBC bosses that he will no longer be sitting on the chair for the fifth series of the Voice UK. Filming for the show will start next month.
BBC is doing the best they can to retain Will.I.Am as part of their roster of coaches after losing Rita Ora to their rival X-Factor. Producers even offered the music icon a pay rise, but the 40-year-old rapper turned it down, saying it was time for him to move on.
An inside source for the Daily Star Sunday said: "Will has been in discussions with producers but decided he doesn't want to return this year.
"He was especially upset his former contestant Leah McFall failed to set the charts alight," the source added. As a result, Will has told BBC bosses that he thinks he has achieved everything he can achieve on the show.
"Will quitting is a massive blow for The Voice after already losing Rita. Bosses are doing everything in their power to change his mind but it's not looking promising," says reports.
Tom Jones, 75, with Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson, 37, is expected to sign up again for the fifth run.
There are reports that Kylie Minogue, 47, will return to the seat she filled in 2014. Nicole Scherzinger, 37, Mel C., 41, Paloma Faith, 34, and FKA Twigs, 27, have all been listed as well.
British soul singer Joss Stone, 28, was also asked to join the coaching panel but turned down the offer.
US singer and dancer Jason Derulo, 25, is being courted by BBC to replace Will, after recording four UK top hit singles.
Jason confirmed he had been approached by The Voice producers, saying: "There's some talk about me doing The Voice. It's a cool show, there's interest from both parties, myself and them."
A spokesman for The Voice said negotiations for the fifth series of The Voice UK are still ongoing. The Voice UK will start filming in Manchester next month and will return to the screens in early 2016.
