Black Eyed Peas star left in the dark about a return to The Voice

WILL.I.AM has admitted his future on The Voice is uncertain - as they still haven't asked him to return.

The musician, 41, is the longest serving coach on the show having been on the panel for all five series.

But he has no idea if he will be allowed back when the singing competition switches to ITV next year.

Questioned on whether he would be returning, he said: "I don't know, I hope so, I hope to. I like it a lot, I've been doing it for five years. I don't know why they'd want to switch it up."

This week ITV confirmed Emma Willis, 40, would continue to host the programme.

But Will confessed he hadn't even been aware that co-host Marvin Humes, 31, had left the show until the news was publicly announced.

Will said: "We really don't know. We've got one with Emma. We don't know anything."

Last year's series featured Boy George, 54, Paloma Faith, 34, and Ricky Wilson, 38, as coaches alongside Will.

Ricky has ruled himself out of a return, but Will hinted he would prefer it if original coaches Tom Jones, 76, and Jessie J, 28, came back instead of his colleagues from last year.

Asked who he would like to do the show with, he said: "Tom. That would be cool right? That would be dope. I love Jessie."

Meanwhile, rock crooner Phil Collins has been tipped for a spot on the panel.

Producers hope Phil, 65, will bring his decades of experience of the music industry to the programme's infamous swirl seats - though they will have to make sure they offer adequate support, after the star had a back op last year.