Will.i.am: "Cheryl Cole Inspired Me To Do The Voice UK" - Audio

31 January 2012, 09:56

The Black Eyed Peas rapper spoke with his friend before accepting the role.

Will.i.am has revealed that Cheryl Cole inspired him to take part on The Voice UK.

The Black Eyed Peas rapper and producer is one of four mentors on the programme alongside Jessie J, Tom Jones and The Script's Danny O'Donoghue.

Speaking to Capital FM, Will.i.am said he spoke to the Girls Aloud singer, who he also manages, before accepting the role on the new BBC programme.

"I reached out to Cheryl for advice on keeping your cool, having a poker face, the importance of sticking with the singers – it's their dream," he said.

"A lot of the times when you have other performers a part of the show, celebrities tend to want the shine so they hog up time. So my whole thing was that I want to do The Voice, but I don't want to hog up time to where the singers up there are looking like, 'Is this about you guys?'

"I don't want to be that guy, so I asked Cheryl for advice because I liked her personality on The X Factor. "

Asked if Cheryl told him to accept the job, Will.i.am replied: "No, but she encouraged, she played a role in the decision.

"Her information that she gave me was inspirational. Her perspective and experience inspired me."

Will.i.am is currently promoting his new single 'T.H.E (The Hardest Ever)' featuring Mick Jagger and Jennifer Lopez, which is released on 5^th February.

Listen to Will.i.am talking to our Showbiz reporter Kevin Hughes below.

Will.i.am tells Capital FM Cheryl Cole helped him accept The Voice UK