The bizarre way Seven kept Tones And I's The Voice role secret

Seven went to extraordinary lengths to keep Tones And I's (real name Toni Watson) surprise role on The Voice under wraps, with the Australian superstar secretly moved around the set inside a road case to avoid detection by fellow coaches and contestants.

The elaborate operation, described by Seven's head of entertainment Digby Mitchell as requiring "military precision", was designed to preserve one of the show's biggest twists: Watson joining the series as a fifth coach with the power to give rejected contestants a second chance.

"It required military precision to pull it off because, in a show like that, there are a hundred people moving everywhere, doing everything, and to be able to keep someone as high profile as Tones and I from those other four was tough," Mitchell told Mediaweek.

"Tones would get from her area on production to her room, where she was watching everything, hidden in a road case so no one knew. And we had to keep it from the other coaches, but we also had to keep it from all the contestants."

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Tones And I joins in a new role

Watson joins The Voice alongside international pop icon Melanie C, GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Richard Marx, Voice stalwart Ronan Keating and reigning champion coach Kate Miller-Heidke.

Rather than occupying one of the traditional red chairs, Watson will serve as the show's second-chance coach, rescuing standout performers who miss out during the Blind Auditions.

Mitchell said securing the singer-songwriter was a major win for the format.

"It's a huge coup. She is, after all, Australia's most successful female artist.

"When we spoke to her about joining the show, she wasn't 100% sure that she could handle sitting in that room and going through the competition side of it, which includes going head to head with the other coaches.

"So, to have her as the second-chance coach who scoops up the underdogs, imparts her wisdom on them, and sends them back out for another try was just perfect for what she wanted to do and who she is as an artist."

A format that still delivers surprises

Despite The Voice entering another season, Mitchell believes the format continues to resonate because audiences never know who will emerge.

"When there's a format as strong as The Voice, you don't have to do a lot to keep it interesting.

"The minute those big spinning chairs kick off the series, everyone hangs on for that sense of discovery, and that sense of not knowing what's next. It keeps people engaged.

"We've had some amazing coaches sit in the chairs over the years, and we've got all returning coaches in 2026."

Mitchell said assembling the coaching panel is often dictated as much by availability as ambition.

"There are lots of lists, there are lots of names thrown around, and we're always open to new ideas.

"But it's also about working out who can do it and when, because the people we're talking to have very, very busy careers, and the availability for us to lock them down for the sort of six weeks that we require them to film the show can be quite tricky."

One name that has consistently remained on Seven's wish list is Australian rock icon, Jimmy Barnes.

"Jimmy Barnes has always been talked about for these shows, and it's, you know, something I know there's been discussions over the years, but he's someone who's always very busy and hasn't been able to commit to it."

Behind the scenes, the competition is real

Mitchell also dismissed any suggestion that the coaches simply turn up for filming, saying they're deeply invested in developing their artists long after the cameras stop rolling.

"They're super involved.

"I know all of our coaches have direct contact with their artists and continue after they've left the show.

"Every decision is painstakingly gone over, from song choice to outfits and arrangements. Every judge brings their own individual elements to the show.

"For example, someone like Richard Marx is so hands-on with the arrangements and the musicality of the performances. Meanwhile, Ronan Keating even got involved in some of the dance moves.

"They care, and the competition is real. They are very competitive about the process, and winning that crown at the end of the year means a lot to them."

Host Sonia Kruger returns to guide contestants through the competition, with the winner receiving a $100,000 cash prize and an all-inclusive recording development package including production, recording, mixing, mastering and access to Australia's leading A&R and label services.