Entertainment

Kelis: Pitch Battle has shown fans a different side to me

The final of the show takes place next weekend.
The final of the show takes place next weekend. The final of the show takes place next weekend.

Pitch Battle judge Kelis has said she is happy the competition has given viewers the chance to get to know her better.

The Milkshake singer stars opposite Gareth Malone in the show, which sees choirs battling it out every week, and said the programme shows a different side to her.

Pitch Battle
Pitch Battle
Kelis and Malone with the guest  judges and host Mel Giedroyc (BBC)

She told the Press Association: “Some people say I’m mysterious, I don’t think I am but some people think so.

“With this they get to know who I am, this shows a different side to me and I’m able to talk about music.”

Kelis added that she was surprised people regarded saw her and Malone as an unusual match, saying: “I think someone said we were an odd couple but we get along amazingly, we are a good team.”

While the series does not end until July 22, she is already hoping to return for a second outing, saying: “I would love to (come back), if I get asked to.”

Kelis: Pitch Battle has shown fans a different side to me
Kelis: Pitch Battle has shown fans a different side to me (Kieron McCarron/BBC/Tuesday's Child/Kieron McCarron)
Seal with Kelis and Gareth Malone (BBC/Kieron McCarron)

Each week a different guest judge, including Will Young, Seal and Chaka Khan, have joined Malone and Kelis to whittle the choirs down.

This week will see Joe Jonas join the panel to help select who will go through to the live final.

The groups will include a young chamber choir, a group of musical theatre enthusiasts and an all-male barbershop chorus.

The grand final will see Jonas’s brother Nick appear to sing with this week’s winning group, while the wild card group chosen to compete in the final will sing with Jermaine Jackson.

Kelis said: “It’s pretty epic, it doesn’t get much bigger.”

In the final the groups will be knocked down to two before the public vote for the final winning choir, who will scoop a £50,000 prize.

While the voting lines are open Rita Ora will perform on the show.

Kelis said: “I love that they all want to sing. Nobody wants to be anywhere else. I love that so much.”

Pitch Battle continues on BBC One on July 15 at 7.30pm.