Danny O'Donoghue has confirmed today that he will be leaving the Voice UK and will not be appearing on the next series of the show.

The news comes just weeks after Jessie J announced that she would be also leaving the show. This is undoubtedly another big blow for a series that has always been discussed as a less popular X-Factor.

Danny, who was the winning mentor on the last series of the Voice with Andrea Begley, confirmed in a statement: 'I had two wonderful seasons on The Voice and as everybody knows I gave it my heart and soul and couldn't be more proud of the show and what we have achieved."

"My focus will be on The Script moving forward as we are about to embark on the most important part of our career as a band."

BBC bosses who confirmed the news today said they were sorry to see Danny go, but understood that he wanted to focus on the band.

However, will.i.am has stepped in and put forward that Cheryl Cole may be one of the replacement judges.

According to the Daily Mail, he stated: 'Cheryl has been very successful on music talent shows in the past. She is great with the contestants and really gives everything to them. But also the audience loves her, which is so important on these shows, you need to be likeable.She has been concentrating on other things, but I could see her getting back into a talent show for sure. She would have offers from The UK and The US - but she would be perfect for The Voice.

Anyone else really excited at the thought of Cheryl being on the Voice?!