Back at the beginning of December, I spent a day in the recordings for The Voice UK Knockouts rounds, and whilst I can't give details on some of the contestants that made it through to the live stages of the competition, I can confirm that there were many deserving individuals taking part, some of whom could have an incredible future ahead of them.
Though we've no longer got Rita Ora or Sir Tom Jones on the show, Boy George and Paloma Faith are absolutely fantastic additions to the team. Their individuality and originality really reflects in the choices they make within their own teams, and they're not afraid to chat to the audience and poke fun at themselves (as well as one another).
After choosing his final three for the live shows, Boy George let us in on a little secret. Though none of the four coaches turned around for an act in the first stages of the competition, he has gone on to make a record with that person. He wouldn't tell us who, but we should expect to hear something soon off the back of the show. Before his story had finished, production had span his chair away from us - damn the powers that be!
Ricky Wilson is in his stride this series. It's his third and he's incredibly comfortable, running out to greet us before the show even started and throwing Haribo to the crowd during a 10-minute break. He'd take the time to sign autographs whilst other mentors had makeup reapplied, and even gave one lucky woman a 'Ricky Wilson Squeeze'.
Flying in from Miami for the show, will.i.am remains an enigma. He's a charismatic character for sure, but everything about him just seems like a bit of a front. Inbetween acts and in breaks from filming, he'd spend the entirety of his time on his phone or tablet, tapping away on social media rather than conversing with his acts on stage or with the fellow coaches. There were a handful of times he'd glance into the audience and smile, but he'd never really get involved the way the other three did. Perhaps he was tired because of the US to UK time difference. Perhaps he's bored of the show. But he really should have shown a little more interest - it was sad to see the other three coaches interacting with his team more than he did himself.
Hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes are also unafraid to get involved with pranks and dance-offs whenever they're not filming - I've never seen such a hilarious performance of 'Uptown Funk'.
So can the show still shine without Sir Tom Jones? In a word, yes. Within minutes I'd forgotten he'd even been a part of the show, and everything felt a lot more current than it ever had in the past. Sir Tom made this show good, but now it feels great.
The Voice UK has been criticised for never finding a true star, but honestly, this time round I think that could be achieved with more than one of the artists involved.
The Voice UK returns later this month for its final series on BBC One.
Tagged in The Voice