The Voice UK was suspended at the end of March when production was halted because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every episode through the Knockouts had already been pre-recorded and broadcast, but the remaining shows — which were scheduled to be live — could not go ahead. As a result, ITV postponed the semi-final and the final indefinitely while producers explored safe ways to complete the series.
The Voice UK producers plan to film in an empty studio with recorded crowd reactions
Producers have been developing contingency plans to finish the competition while complying with safety guidance. After observing how other versions of the format adapted to restrictions, production teams began considering filming the semi-final and final in the studio without a live audience and using recorded applause and crowd reactions to preserve the programme’s atmosphere.
Insiders say the audition and knockout stages were completed before the shutdown, and the remaining live shows are now expected to be filmed under strict safety protocols. The proposed approach would see the coaches — including Olly Murs, Meghan Trainor, Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones — present in the studio, seated in their red chairs kept at a safe distance from one another, while contestants perform live in front of cameras but without spectators. Applause and audience reactions would be played back via speakers to recreate the familiar live-show environment for television viewers.
Production staff emphasise that health and safety are the primary drivers of any decision. Staging the finals without a crowd is being treated as a practical option that could allow the series to conclude while protecting the performers, the coaches and the crew. The idea takes cues from international productions that experimented successfully with similar formats, demonstrating that a well-produced show can still deliver emotional performances and dramatic television even without a physical audience.
The proposed setup would include strict distancing measures, limited on-site personnel, and additional hygiene and testing protocols as required. The coaches would remain in their red chairs, spaced apart by at least two metres, and contestants would follow defined pathways and rehearsal procedures designed to minimise contact. Technical teams would rely on careful camera direction, lighting and sound design to maintain the sense of occasion despite the reduced number of people in the studio.
Producers eyeing autumn dates for final episodes of The Voice UK
The semi-final had originally been scheduled to air on ITV on March 28, with the final planned for April 4. Those broadcast dates were postponed when live production became impossible. Current plans indicate that the semi-final and final could be filmed later in the year, with producers tentatively targeting autumn for completion and transmission, though no firm dates have been confirmed.
ITV reiterated that no final decision has been taken about resuming filming for The Voice UK. A spokesperson said the broadcaster will follow government guidance and make decisions with the safety of talent, crew and the public as the top priority. If official guidelines for television production change, producers have said they will adjust their plans accordingly.
When the pandemic forced studios to rethink live entertainment, other talent shows turned to remote or home-produced formats to keep their seasons moving. Some programmes experimented with contestants performing from their homes, with judges and hosts appearing remotely. While these at-home broadcasts provided a temporary solution, the live-studio experience remains central to formats like The Voice, which rely on immediate reactions, camera movement and the dynamic between coaches, performers and an audience.
Producers must also weigh the potential impact of a long delay on viewer engagement. Leaving the competition’s Top 8 contestants off the air for many months raises questions about whether audiences will still feel connected to the performers when the finals finally air. Those concerns are part of the reason some shows opted for rapid adaptation earlier in the pandemic, choosing to complete seasons in altered formats rather than waiting.
For now, the priority for The Voice UK remains finishing the series in a way that preserves the competition’s integrity while ensuring everyone’s safety. Whether that means filming finals in an empty studio with recorded crowd noise, postponing until larger dates in the calendar, or adopting alternative formats will depend on evolving public-health guidance and the practicalities of keeping contestants and crew safe.