The Voice US: Gwen Stefani set to replace Adam Levine as the coach departs after 16 seasons

Maroon 5 frontman was one of the original coaches to launch The Voice

Adam Levine is leaving his role as a coach on The Voice after 16 seasons, with Gwen Stefani set to take his place.

The Maroon 5 singer’s departure was announced on The Today Show by Voice host Carson Daly, who said it was Levine’s decision and that he will “always be a cherished member of the Voice family”.

Levine has been a coach on the NBC show since its debut in 2011 and has been victorious three times – in season one with Javier Colon, in season five with Tessanne Chin, and in season nine with Jordan Smith.

Stefani has previously served as a coach on the singing show in seasons seven, nine and 12.

On Twitter, The Voice released a statement confirming that Levine would not be a coach for season 17.

“Our friend and coach Adam Levine made the decision not to return next season. We’re going to miss Adam, but The Voice is family and with family it’s ‘see you soon,’ never ‘goodbye,’” the show said. “Gwen Stefani returns with Kelly, John and Blake on the Voice stage this fall.

“Join us in welcoming back Gwen, and sharing our heartfelt gratitude to Adam!”

In response to the news, fellow coaches Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson expressed their disappointment that Levine would not be returning.

“Having a hard time wrapping my head around Adam Levine not being at The Voice anymore,” Shelton wrote on Twitter. “After 16 seasons that changed both of our lives. I only found out about this yesterday and it hasn’t set in on me yet. Gonna miss working with that idiot.”

According to Clarkson, she also only found out about Levine leaving on Thursday. Of Levine’s decision, the singer said she gets “that he’s been doing the show [for] a while & wants to step away” but that it will be “weird showing up [for] work & he’s not there”.

After the season 16 finale of the show, which concluded Tuesday, Levine shared a photo of himself and Shelton on Twitter with the caption: “A rare moment of tenderness.”

Maelyn Jarmon was announced the winner of season 16 of The Voice.