Last November, Sonia Kruger made a shock move when she quit her hosting gig on The Voice to take up a new gig at Channel Seven, with a salary package worth a rumoured $1.3million.
Since her abrupt departure, the question on everyone’s lips has been: who will take the reins in 2020?
After Sonia Kruger (right) jumped ship to Channel Seven, former host Darren McMullen (pictured) will return with co-host Renee Bargh.
(Image: @darrenmcmullen/ Instagram)And now all has finally been revealed, with Channel Nine announcing the new hosts.
The network confirmed that former host Darren McMullen will return to his old role. He will be joined by Renee Bargh, who is currently LA-based and co-hosts the weekend edition of Extra.
“I’ve hosted a lot of fun shows around the globe since leaving but nothing compares to the buzz you get from walking out onto The Voice stage”, said McMullen. “The seasons that I hosted were the most fun I’ve ever had in television, and I can’t wait to pick up the reigns again to front the biggest show in Australia.”
“It’s an absolute dream come true to be heading home to Australia and joining The Voice family”, said Bargh. “When it comes to entertainment television, it doesn’t get much bigger or more dynamic than The Voice. I’ve always been a huge fan of the show and am looking forward to meeting the next wave of incredibly talented Aussie artists”.
WATCH: Darren McMullen makes a sizzling entrance on SeaChange. Story continues below…
Renee (right) and Delta have been long-time friends.
(Image: @reneebargh/ Instagram)Darren was the inaugural host of The Voice from 2012 and was joined by Sonia in 2015. He then left the show after the fourth season to try his luck in Hollywood.
Last year the popular Scottish-Australian had an increased number of roles back in Australia, including starring in the reboot of SeaChange and appearing on The Masked Singer.
Renee also has close ties to the singing show, having been firm friends with coach Delta Goodrem for years.
Darren pictured with The Voice coach Delta.
(Image: @darrenmcmullen/ Instagram)Before the announcement, Love Island host Sophie Monk was the favourite to take over from Sonia, with speculation that she would be given greater responsibilities at Nine, including a role on The Voice.
Coaches Delta Goodrem, Kelly Rowland, Boy George and Guy Sebastian will all return in 2020 in their mentoring roles.
All coaches will return in 2020 (From left: Boy George, Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian and Kelly Rowland.)
(Image: Channel Nine)