The Voice UK is holding auditions in Manchester city centre next week, and there’s still time to stick your name down.
If you’d consider yourself to have some pretty impressive pipes, and you reckon you’ve got what it takes to impress the producers of one of TV’s toughest singing shows with your vocal talents, then it’s probably worth knowing that ITV is holding auditions for the next series The Voice UK next week.
And it’s not too late to sign up either, if you fancy it.
Part of The Voice franchise, and based off the original Netherlands’ show of the same name, The Voice UK first hit our TV screens back in 2012, and since then, it has gone on to become a popular rival to other singing competition shows, and staple viewing for households nationwide, drawing in millions of viewers each series.
The show’s initial blind audition round sees hopeful singers of all ages take to the stage to perform their chosen songs for the four famous judges.
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Facing away from the artists, and without any previous knowledge of their looks, personalities, stage presence, dance routines, if a judge likes what they hear, then a button-press allows their chair to spin around to face the performer, which show’s they’re keen to mentor them.
If more than one judge’s chair turns, then the artist selects a coach – but if no coach turns, then the artist is sadly sent home.
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Luckily though, next week’s Manchester auditions won’t be so brutal, as it’s just in front of the show’s producers.
Heading down to Access Creative College’s Manchester campus – which is on Oxford Street in the heart of the city centre – in the hopes of finding “the next singing sensation”, producers will be holding pre auditions next Thursday 13 July, and then, if performers actually get through to the TV series from there, this is when they’ll get to perform for current judges Anne-Marie, Olly Murs, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am.
Members of the public from across Greater Manchester are welcome to apply, and will just need to perform one song for the producers.
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“The Voice is looking for people aged 16 and over to audition for the next series,” explained Ian Johnson – who is the Head of Music Industry Partnerships for Access Creative College.
“We have spaces available for members of the public and they need to register with me via my email and then I can send them details.
Do you fancy yourself a bit of a brainbox? Reckon you’re ready to put your general knowledge to the test in the hopes of winning some money? And by ‘some money’, we just mean the small matter of £1 million?
If you answered yes to those questions, then you’ll probably keen to know that ITV has put out a casting call for people to take part in the next series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.
That’s right… it’s been confirmed that Jeremy Clarkson is back hosting another series of the world-famous reality game show – which was revived to great success by ITV back for the first time back in 2018 – later this year, and that means the show’s producers are, of course, looking for contestants who believe they’ve got what it takes to make it to the million.
A casting call on the ITV website reads: “If you would like the chance to sit opposite Jeremy in the world-famous hotseat, then apply now, as could be just 15 questions away from becoming a millionaire.”
Applications for the new series of the show are now live and currently being accepted up until the cut-off date of 15 November 2024, but the earlier you apply the better, as the audition and casting process is set to take place between 22 July and 11 October 2024.
To apply, you must be aged 18 or over on the date of submitting the form, and you must be a British citizen or have the right to reside in the UK, as well as ensuring you meet the eligibility requirements listed on the ITV website before you start completing this application form.
EFL fans will be able to watch their team over 20 times a season thanks to new Sky Sports deal
Danny Jones
The English Football League (EFL) has struck a new deal with Sky Sports to broadcast more than 1,000 games live on TV from next season, with a brand-new channel being added to their overallpackage,which will let fans watch their club at least 20 times every year.
Better still, the new channel will come at no extra charge to existing Sky Sports customers and help get more eyes on the lower leagues each week.
Making the announcement on Monday, 13 May, the EFL confirmed that there are set to be more games than ever aired by the broadcaster thanks to the new record deal and the introduction of Sky Sports+, a new red-button style channel and streaming service allowing fans more freedom.
Kicking off from 2024/25 and running until 2028/29, the new TV rights deal will see a total of 1,059 EFL matches shown across multiple platforms in a contract worth £895m and £40m in marketing benefits.
Sky’s new EFL deal – the division breakdown
As per the official press release, Sky Sports has promised to broadcast a minimum of 328 Sky Bet Championship matches, 248 League One matches and the same number of League Two matches.
In addition to the normal season fixtures, they will also be delivering every playoff game throughout the EFL, as well as all of the 93 Carabao Cup and 127 EFL Trophy matches for the very first time.
Breaking this down to how this looks each round, this equates to 10 live EFL fixtures shown each weekend: Championship games and another five split between the third and fourth divisions.
According to Sky themselves, this represents “a 50% increase on the value of the current rights agreement and will see significantly enhanced exposure for all EFL clubs provided through on-air and digital support from Sky Sports to promote EFL competitions, clubs, and community initiatives.”
With the 3pm/Article 48 TV blackout remaining in Britain, this means that more games will be scheduled outside of this time zone, however, they are also promising to give better notice periods for fixtures selected for TV broadcast and Sky Sports+ coverage.
The new Sky x EFL deal will also ensure that all opening, final day and midweek fixtures in the Sky Bet EFL will be shown live, as well as all games played on Bank Holidays including Easter, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and lower league fixtures pencilled in for the international breaks.
Fans further down the pyramid have been crying out for better visibility when it comes to their clubs for years, making this a landmark moment in the history of English football, but one that still goes to show just how much TV rights and the entertainment industry continues to dominate the beautiful game.
Still, more games for everyone to enjoy on the telly – that’s a good thing, right?