The search for the nation’s best young singers will continue as The Voice Kids is returning for a second series, ITV has confirmed.

Coaches Will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones will be back in the show’s famous red chairs when it airs in 2018, and presenter Emma Willis is also making a comeback for its second outing.

Will.i.am, who also appears on The Voice UK, said he is “honoured” to be returning as a coach for the children’s version of the show and that he can help with “inspiring and sending kids on their way to do awesome stuff with their lives”.

He added, of his returning co-stars: “Danny is amazing and Pixie is awesome. Pixie balances off the wild antics Danny and I have!”

Pop star Lott, whose act Jess Folley won the first series, said: “I’m so delighted to be back for series two of The Voice Kids.

“I had the best time doing this show and was over the moon that Jess, from my team, won. All the kids are incredible and I can’t wait to see what’s in store and who auditions for series two.

“I’m also looking forward to spending time with Will and Danny again, and having our Voice Kids family back!”

McFly star Jones added: “I had an amazing time on the first series of The Voice Kids and I’m super-excited to be returning to the red chair, hitting the button again and uncovering some of the best UK talent our youth has to offer.

“I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Pixie and Will – the energy and friendship we have makes the show so much more enjoyable and my job a lot easier.

The Voice Kids
Pixie Lott, Emma Willis and Danny Jones (Isabel Infantes/PA)

“The talent on the show makes me so proud of what the kids can achieve and what talent we have to offer in the UK. Hopefully this year I can find the winner!”

Siobhan Greene, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: “We are so happy The Voice Kids is returning to ITV in 2018.

“There was such a positive response to this uplifting and joyful show, and everyone’s socks were knocked off by the talent of the kids we found. So, time to welcome back Will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones, and Emma Willis. We all can’t wait to get going.”

According to the broadcaster, The Voice Kids – which is open to solo singers between the ages of seven and 14 – was the most successful new entertainment programme of the summer with an average of four million viewers.

It is an off-shoot of the main programme The Voice UK, which returns in early 2018 with coaches Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson, Sir Tom Jones and newcomer Olly Murs.