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‘I’ve been wrestling with this for a while’: Blake Shelton quits The Voice as Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper become coaches-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Blake said he’d had ‘a hell of a ride’ on The Voice.
Blake said it had been a ‘hell of a ride’ on The Voice (Picture: Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock)
Blake Shelton has announced he is departing The Voice after more than a decade and 23 seasons as a coach.
The country music singer has been guiding wannabe popstars on the competition series since it debuted back in 2011.
The 46-year-old is the longest-serving coach followed by Adam Levine, who quit the franchise in 2019.
On Instagram, the Austin hitmaker said he had been ‘wrestling’ with the decision to leave ‘for a while.’
He wrote: ‘I’ve been wrestling with this for a while and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from ‘The Voice’ after season 23.
‘This show has changed my life in every way for the better and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns.’
Blake then thanked the cast and crew of The Voice calling them the ‘best’, before adding: ‘It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week.’
Blake has been on The Voice since it started (Picture: Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
He continued: ‘I’ve made lifelong bonds with [host] Carson [Daly] and every single one of my fellow coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!’
As well as giving a ‘special thank you’ to the singers he mentored, Blake also praised his fans for their support.
Niall will be coaching stars on The Voice (Picture: Getty Images for iHeart)
He said: ‘Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these artists, us coaches and everyone at ‘The Voice’ chasing their dreams. It wouldn’t happen without you!’
Meanwhile, the latest season of The Voice will see One Direction star Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper join as coaches.
Chance the Rapper has joined The Voice (Picture: Getty)
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They will join Kelly Clarkson, who returns to the show after a brief hiatus.
Other coaches on the show have previously included Camila Cabello, John Legend and Gwen Stefani.
Blake and the Rich Girl singer married in an intimate ceremony last year after striking up a romance in 2015 when they were both coaches on The Voice.
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