Olly Murs has admitted it was ‘very odd’ returning to filming for the The Voice’s much-delayed 2020 series during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the semi-final on Saturday, the singer said it was a ‘weird transition’ to record the shows with the help of a virtual audience but in a world dominated by coronavirus added this new format could be ‘the way forward.’
It came as Tom Jones also explained that the show managed to work around the absence of coach Meghan Trainor after she announced her pregnancy, hinting she could be transformed in a hologram to appear alongside the panel.
Drama: Olly Murs has admitted it was ‘very odd’ returning to filming for the The Voice’s much-delayed 2020 series during the COVID-19 pandemic
Asked how he and coaches Tom and will.i.am found returning to the show after lockdown, Olly told MailOnline: ‘It was very odd at first it’s the whole ”this is the new way it is so we have to abide by the rules.”
‘It was odd but ITV have got this amazing wraparound screen so it’s a virtual audience and a bit different to BGT where we’re able to zoom in and chat to different people on the screen at different points so it was really really fun.
‘All us coaches were saying that it’s so nice to see the real fans in their lounges at home watching the show. It was kind of surreal really it’s the new age, it’s the new way forward isn’t it?
‘It’s different and it is a little bit strange but I think we’re just learning like everyone else how to cope with it, just to make sure that everyone is safe and to do the best possible show we can and that’s all we can do really.’
She’s not here! It came as Tom Jones also explained that the show managed to work around the absence of coach Meghan Trainor after she announced her pregnancy
Agreeing the changes to the show were a ‘weird transition,’ Olly added: ‘I’m a hugger, I love when I greet the contestants, especially if someone wins the final.
‘Next week we’re not going to be able to celebrate with our contestants and it’;s all going to be from a distance it’s going to be odd it’s going to be strange, but like Tom said the show’s back we’re on TV we managed to make this work.
‘ITV did what they could to make it as soon as possible, we’re here now and that’s the most important thing, the contestants will get their moment to shine and I’m so happy they got this opportunity as it would have been so awful if the show had got cancelled.’
The upcoming Voice semi-final will see the remaining nine acts perform to win their coaches support, with only four set to advance to the grand finale.
Back on screens: On Saturday The Voice will make its much-anticipated return to screens after the lockdown for the pre-recorded semi-final and grand finale
Competing on Olly’s team are Jordan Phillips and Blessing Chitapa, while Trinity-Leigh Cooper and Brooke Scullion are part of Team Meghan.
In Tom’s team are Jonny Brooks and Lois Moodie, while will’s team boasts Gevanni Hutton, Lucy Calcines and the public’s Lifeline winner Doug Sure.
While Olly, Tom and will shall be back in their famous red chairs, Meghan will appear virtually from her home in the US, after her pregnancy announcement meant she was unable to travel back to the UK.
Explaining how bosses managed the hitmaker’s absence, Tom told MailOnline: ‘It’s going to be a hologram or something, and she’s going to be sitting in a chair you see it on a screen but we won’t actually be seeing it in a studio.
‘Apparently it can be done but as Will said, she’s pregnant or she would have been here herself, but travelling is a problem of course so it’s hard to get from US to England right now so it’s one of those things but it’s workable.
Pushed back: In March filming for The Voice was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic with ITV bosses confirming the 2020 series would resume later in the year
‘So with Meghan being in the States, she’s still gonna be there, she’s linked up so she’s still gonna be there. She’s gonna be live with us at the time, it’s not gonna be a recording.
Olly added: ‘I’m excited to see what it’s like to see how it’s gonna work because we’re obviously so happy to Meghan that she’s expecting a baby, I only got to know her for a short time but she’s an amazing woman, fantastic.
‘On the flipside we just wish she was here so she could see her but due to the circumstances we can’t. But like Tom said I’m really excited to see how it’s gonna look on TV, whether to interact with her or not how it’s gonna work.
‘When Tom said it’s gonna be a hologram or something. Like Will was saying about technology it’s the way forward! Us coaches might not be here in 2030 we might all be holograms sat in our armchairs we don’t know!’
Gone: Meghan (pictured during the Battles in February) will appear on the semi-final virtually after being unable to travel to the UK due to her pregnancy
In March filming for The Voice was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with bosses saying: ‘We have taken the difficult decision to postpone The Voice UK’s live Semi-Final and Final until later this year.
‘They were due on air on the 28th March and 4th April, and we are working to replace them in the schedule with some bespoke, clip-based The Voice UK specials.’
It’s also been revealed that Anne-Marie will replace pregnant Meghan Trainor on the judging panel in 2021.
The Voice UK 2020 semi-final airs on Saturday at 8:45pm on ITV.
Back soon: The Voice UK 2020 semi-final airs on Saturday at 8:45pm on ITV