The Voice: Rita Ora, Emeli Sande and Paloma Faith in running to replace Jessie J as judge

The Voice: Rita Ora, Emeli Sande and Paloma Faith in running to replace Jessie J as judge

BBC bosses have set their sights on Paloma Faith, Rita Ora or Emeli Sande to replace departing Jessie J on The Voice.

Despite a desperate desire for Adele, who would be a huge asset to the show, they have reluctantly admitted that it is “unrealistic” to hope she will join.

One insider said yesterday: “Jessie will need to be replaced by another female, and it would be great to have someone young and current. Paloma Faith, Rita Ora and Emeli Sande are right up their on our wishlist of talent.”

Jessie J has left the show

 

Price Tag star Jessie yesterday announced she had quit the series, which launched in 2011, in order to concentrate on her own career. With her second album due out later this year, she will spend most of 2014 touring overseas.

Announcing her decision on Friday Jessie said that promoting her new album around the world “has to take priority” next year. But she added: “I’ve absolutely loved my time on The Voice and I hope everyone saw and knows how passionately I felt about the show.

“I shall be keeping a very close eye on series three showing my support in every way I can and really hope that in some way that I can be part of the show.”

But her departure raises questions over the other star coaches â€" Sir Tom Jones, Danny O’Donoghue and Will.i.am â€" who remain unconfi rmed for the third series.

Paloma Faith is in demand for the talent show

 

Jessie’s departure may have a knock-on effect on them, with all four having previously said they would only remain if everyone else did.

Last month Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am said: “As long as the four of us do it, then I’ll sign again. I think it’s important it’s the four of us, there’s a good chemistry.

“We talked the last time before we agreed to it and we will this time. It would be hard to do it without the others. I can’t think about doing it with someone else. It would be weird.

“I know to look to the left when I’m having a bad day and Jessie will pull some weird-ass face and cheer me up. I know Tom’s going to be all silver berry cool and Danny’s an inspiration.”

Emeli Sande is also being eyed up for a judging role

 

Sir Tom agreed, saying: “The four of us make a great team â€" one without the other wouldn’t work.”

There have also been rumours that the other members of The Script, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power, have grown frustrated by O’Donoghue’s commitment to the long-running show.

Fans have already started suggesting replacesments for Jessie, who include Kylie Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Cerys Matthews.

The BBC has already confirmed the third series of the singing contest will go ahead. Entertainment boss Mark Linsey said: “ We’re so sorry to see Jessie go as she’s been an exceptional coach on, and advocate for, The Voice but we totally support her decision to leave due to touring commitments overseas.

The 2013 judges - Tom Jones, Danny O'Donoghue, Jessie J and Will.i.am

 

“We very much hope that Jessie will remain part of the show and come back and perform for us next series. In the meantime, we will now start the search for a new coach.”

Yesterday she tweeted the news of her decision. When one fan moaned: “The Voice will not be the same without Jessie J,” she replied: “My tour won’t be the same without me. Music comes first J.”

Last night bookies Ladbrokes made Emeli Sande the 3/1 favourite to land the job, followed by Paloma Faith at 4/1 and Mel B 5/1. Rita Ora was given odds of 8/1, Pixie Lott 10/1 and Florence Welch 12/1. A long shot was Ellie Goulding at 14/1.