Will.i.am halts The Voice filming to pay tribute to Sir Tom Jones before gushing over Cheryl’s comeback

WILL.I.AM halted the first day of filming of The Voice to pay tribute to Sir Tom Jones. The Black Eyed Peas star admitted he will miss his red chair companion but gushed over Cheryl finally signing on to the show. Will.i.am has paid a glowing tribute to Sir Tom Jones on the first day of filming The Voice Credit: Getty He also welcomed Cheryl who he’s been trying to get on the show for more than 10 years Credit: Splash A source said: “Will addressed it beautifully at the very start of recording. “He explained that for the last 14 years he has looked across at Sir Tom Jones but went on to explain that he had been trying to get Cheryl in a red chair since 2014. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “He bigged up Kelly – who is currently on screen – and welcomed Aitch.” The insider added: “Both Cheryl and Aitch got huge welcoming cheers from the audience as they took their seats. The atmosphere was terrific. “There was a massive cheer from the audience and the other coaches as recording began – it was a really lovely and touching moment. And then they got down to business.” The insider added: “Recording went really well with lots of humour from the coaches. It promises to be a great series. There were no tears and a lot of laughs which really helped the day.” Bosses were so desperate to keep Cheryl a secret that she was flanked by ITV staff and hidden by large umbrellas at all times. But a second source at the filming added: “Cheryl was great and she looked stunning. Most read in Showbiz “Rather than being overdressed, she wore a pair of thigh-high PVC boots and a check shirt. “She had her hair down at the front. It was actually very reminiscent of when she met the then Prince Charles in Newcastle at her Cheryl’s Trust back in 2021. “Filming was long but fun.” The Sun first reported in July how Aitch has been lined up as a judge on The Voice, replacing Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher who quietly quit the show after series 14. Then last month revealed how Cheryl was in advanced talks to take her own seat on the coaching panel. Aitch, Cheryl and Will.i.am are joined by returning judge Kelly Rowland who is back for a second year. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon will replace Emma Willis as the new hosts of the show. Filming is due to continue in Manchester until September 15. Comment now