Blake Shelton Exiting 'The Voice' Following Season 23

Before Season 22 has even wrapped, NBC announced the details for Season 23 of "The Voice." Season 23 will serve as a spring season for the show, and it will also be the last season for longtime coach and country music artistBlake Shelton, who has been with the show since the very beginning and a part of every season since.

NBC also confirmed the new coaches panel for Season 23.

The new cast of coaches, other than Shelton, for Season 23 will include Kelly Clarkson, who returns after a hiatus, and newcomers Niall Horan and Chance the Rapper. Both Horan and Chance the Rapper will be making their 'Voice' debuts.

Shelton is departing from the reality competition show that he has been a part of since its first season in 2011. He was part of the original cast, which featured Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and CeeLo Green. He went on to appear in every episode and season of the show since. That's 22 seasons and over 520 episodes so far.

Throughout the show's run, Shelton has the record as the most-winningest Coach in the history of "The Voice" at eight victories overall with Jermaine Paul in Season 2, Cassadee Pope in Season 3, Danielle Bradbery in Season 4, Craig Wayne Boyd in Season 7, Sundance Head in Season 11, Chloe Kohanski in Season 13, Todd Tilghman in Season 18, and Cam Anthony in Season 20.

Also, Shelton met his wife, Gwen Stefani, while working on the series. The two were married last year. She served as a coach for multiple seasons.

In a statement to NBC, Shelton explained why it was time for him to exit, saying, "I’ve been wrestling with this for a while, and I’ve decided that it’s time for me to step away from The Voice after Season 23." He continued, "This show has changed my life in every way for the better, and it will always feel like home to me. It’s been a hell of a ride over these 12 years of chair turns, and I want to thank everyone at The Voice from NBC, every producer, the writers, musicians, crew, and catering people; you are the best."

Shelton added, "It takes a lot of work, passion, and adult beverages (Ha!) to pull off a live show twice a week. I’ve made lifelong bonds with Carson and every single one of my fellow Coaches over the years, including my wife Gwen Stefani!"

He went on, giving a shoutout to the fans and the competitors on the show who are chasing their dreams, saying, "Lastly, it’s about y’all, the fans, who watch and support these Artists, us Coaches, and everyone at The Voice who are chasing their dreams. It would not happen without you!"

Season 22 of "The Voice" is currently airing on Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Season 22 has been averaging 7.69 million viewers on Mondays and 7.51 million viewers on Tuesdays. Season 23 will be the show's first spring edition since 2021 after NBC skipped the spring season this year.

https://twitter.com/blakeshelton/status/1579985199353298945

Shelton is currently serving as a coach for #TeamBlake on Season 22, with Jimmie Allen as his advisor. Season 23 of "The Voice" will air on NBC later next year.