will.i.am confirmed as coach for 'The Voice UK' and 'The Voice Kids'

LONDON, July 4 (UPI) -- Singer, songwriter and producer will.i.am will return as a coach on The Voice UK when it moves to its new home on ITV early next year.

He will also serve as mentor on The Voice Kids, which will premiere on ITV in 2017. Both shows will be hosted by Emma Willis.

will.i.am has appeared on The Voice UK since it debuted on the BBC in 2012. He is the first coach announced for the new season.

"I'm delighted to be continuing The Voice UK on ITV and being a voice of direction and guidance for the usual suspects, and I'm thrilled to add The Voice Kids to the mix... I know The Voice switched to ITV, but I'm not going to BREXIT The Voice UK. I'm happy to make ITV my home now. I love the UK," he said in a statement.

"Hosting The Voice Kids will be like being at my house on a Saturday night; lots of kids singing, with me trying to keep some kind of order. Thankfully, the musical genius that is will.i.am is there to bring some expertise to the table. It's going to be pretty awesome," Willis added.

"We are thrilled to bits that will.i.am's signed up to ITV for The Voice UK and The Voice Kids. He's such an important part of the DNA of the show and that was one of the many reasons we had to have him in his chair. Will's eye for talent, and unique and creative flair for mentoring means we can't wait to see what happens next," remarked Siobhan Greene, ITV's head of entertainment.