"I Want You"

21 January 2016

70s

The BBC has almost lost its Voice.

The latest series of The Voice has begun and, despite the new line-up, the ratings are already disappointing... it can't be easy for the BBC to get behind the programme knowing that it passes to ITV after this series.

It might also help if the programme itself were as much fun as this light-hearted, self-knowing, archly camp trail.

No Tom Jones this year but Will.I.Am is back alongside Ricky Wilson and they're joined by newcomers Paloma Faith and Boy George and they all put in decent self-deprecating turns in Chris Balmond's fun trail.

In theory, this diverse quartet ought to be able to deliver their respective fan bases to the programme and at least ensure a lively conversation on social media but there's something about participation in this kind of programme that confers naffness and even the sainted David Bowie couldn't have made it credible.

It is at least amiable, which is more than can be said for The X Factor and it'll be interesting to see whether it maintains this credo when it switches to commercial television in 2017.

UK

TV Programmes