Faith in the future...

Pop star Paloma Faith on being the new coach on The Voice Kids

- Victoria Wilson

Having been a coach on The Voice UK in 2016, Paloma Faith is no stranger to taking a spin in a red chair. And this week, she joins the all-star mentoring line-up of its junior spin-off, ITV’s The Voice Kids.

Singer-songwriter Paloma, whose hit songs include Upside Down, Make Your Own Kind of Music and I’ve Gotta Be Me, is replacing Jessie J and will join returnees Pixie Lott, Danny Jones and will.i.am to search for the next big pint-sized pop star.

As the pre-recorded Blind Audition shows begin this week, with youngsters between seven and 14 taking to the stage, here, mum-of-one Paloma, 38, tells TV Times why she’s having an absolute ball in her new role…

Why did you want to join The Voice Kids?

I just love children. My original life plan was to be a teacher. My mum was a primary-school teacher and, from the age of 14 until I was about 25, I did lots of voluntary work. I’d either go into my mum’s school to help out or, as I was trained as a contemporary dancer, I’d hold dance workshops with kids who were deaf or blind. I worked with autistic children, too.