The new series of The Voice UK has reportedly been fully pre-recorded for the first time in the show's history.
The singing contest, which has aired in the UK since 2012, is typically pre-recorded for its blind audition and battle rounds before going live for the semi-finals and finals, when the public vote to determine the winner.
According to the Daily Star, however, the entire series has already been filmed in advance this year - meaning that the winner has already been crowned months before the final episode will air.
Explaining the decision, a source told the newspaper: "Live shows are very expensive to do. Pre-recording episodes is a much cheaper way of making TV.
"Lots of big shows are all pre-recorded in full - The Masked Singer, Starstruck, Bake Off and Drag Race are some of them.
"The days of super-expensive X Factor-style live shows every weekend throughout the autumn are long gone."
The new series will feature the return of all four judges from 2020 - will.i.am, Tom Jones, Olly Murs and newcomer Anne-Marie.
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