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Will Young returns to Saturday night TV after Strictly disaster

The Strictly drop out is set for a return to our TV screens for a brand new BBC show

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After the disastrous performance of ITV’s The Voice, which ended on an all time lowest viewing figure EVER, you’d think TV bods would be wary about launching new singing shows.

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Well, guess what…

Just before The X Factor reappears on our horizon, the BBC is about to unleash yet another new singing competition.

Only this one is a bit different.

It’s not seeking a solo artiste.

Instead it’s looking for a  show choir like the ones in the Pitch Perfect films.

And guess what they’ve called it?

Pitch Battle! See what they’ve done there?

Mel Giedroyc will host the BBC show who will be joined by singer Kelis and the Choir’s Gareth Malone who will be trying to find the country’s best choirs.

Each week, the pair will be joined by guest singers such as Will Young – his first Saturday TV appearance since dropping out of  Strictly – Seal, Chaka Khan Joe Jonas and Bebe Rexha, who will help them judge the talent and choose which group will move on to the next stage.

The eager choirs will battle against each other in a series of choral challenges including riff offs – just like they did in the film – a solo challenge and a group Acapella round.

Gareth said that he is excited to be part of the new talent show.

‘I’m thrilled and excited to be part of this fantastic new show,” he gushed, unsurprisingly, no doubt pocketing a pretty tidy fee.

“There’s a wealth of singing talent in this country and I’m delighted to bring that to BBC One.

“To me this is about finding extraordinary groups who have the skill and personality to light up our screens.’

Co-star Kelis added: “It’s kind of nice when things come full circle. I started singing in the choir as a child so it’s always been something special to me. Now here I am 20 years later as a judge on Pitch Battle.”

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Meanwhile, Mel says she is thrilled to be back working with Gareth.

‘I am so excited to be presenting this new show and Pitch Battle will definitely be bringing some cracking music into people’s living rooms every Saturday!” she said.

“Not only are we going to be joined by some brilliant groups and megastar judges each week but to top it all off my old mucker the original twisted choir starter Gareth Malone will be there too.”

Pitch Battle start this summer.


Christian Guiltenane
Freelance Writer