A Voice UK coach has quit the ITV series (Picture: ITV)
LeAnn Rimes has ‘quit’ The Voice UK after appearing as a coach for just one season.
Last year the American singer, who began her music career when she was just a teenager and since going on to sell a staggering 48 million records worldwide, joined The Voice UK.
Her casting came after the controversial axe of Olly Murs and Anne-Marie, the latter who said the decision was a ‘shock’ and left him ‘gutted’.
Soon after it was announced the coaches who remained – Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am – would be joined by LeAnn and McFly’s Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.
Last year’s season was eventually won by the McFly boys’ act Ava in October; however it’s now been reported the line-up is getting a shake-up again after LeAnn, 42, quit.
Instead, she now wants to ‘focus on her career in the US and appear on the American version as mega mentor alongside Sheryl Crow’.
LeAnn Rimes now ‘wants to focus on her career in the US’ (Picture: ITV/ Rachel Joseph/ Shutterstock)
‘LeAnn loved her time on the UK show, but wants to focus on her career in the States,’ a source told The Sun.
‘She was hugely popular with cast and crew, and everybody loved having her as part of the team.’
‘Bosses are currently on the lookout for another female singer to join the all-star line-up, they haven’t made a decision just yet but are having conversations.’
They added: ‘Producers know they’ve had some amazing names so far, from Olly Murs to Anne-Marie, so they want to secure someone who will cause a lot of excitement around the show and bring a new energy to the competition.’
Danny Jones, who also joined last season, is however set to return (Picture: ITV/ Rachel Joseph/ Shutterstock)
The source went on to reveal the show’s 14th season would be filmed ‘later this summer’ and confirmed Danny would be back, a few months after the married musician came under fire for being snapped kissing fellow I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Maura Higgins.
Speaking about deciding to sign up to the series, LeAnn previously told Metro that getting to act as a coach and mentor rather than judging aspiring artists was a major drawcard.
‘I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t a kind show. You want to give people creative criticism – not shatter their hopes and dreams. I think a lot of people went too far back in the day,’ she added, referencing the harsh criticisms dished out to musicians in past reality talent shows.
LeAnn has also quit The Voice Australia after winning last season (Picture: Channel Seven)
Last year LeAnn also appeared as a coach on The Voice Australia, winning that season with her act Reuben De Melo.
However soon after it aired, in September a TV insider said she was a ‘one and done coach’ and wouldn’t be returning to the show.
This was then confirmed in January when the coaching panel was announced, with LeAnn replaced by former Spice Girl Melanie C.
This weekend LeAnn teased new projects with her fans, captioning an Instagram post: ‘Thank you all for making April full of love, laughter and connection. May, I am SO ready for you and the exciting new journey I am about to embark on! Stay tuned…’
Metro has contacted ITV and representatives for LeAnn Rimes for comment.