Hall told TV Tonight that introducing Tones and I as a secret fifth coach had worked well for the show. Bringing the singer back in the same role, however, would no longer give viewers the same surprise.

“That worked, but you can’t go ‘Tones and I is back in Week Two, and she’s a secret judge,’” he said.

During the 2026 season, Tones watched the Blind Auditions from a hidden backstage room, selecting and mentoring singers who had failed to turn a chair. Her eventual reveal to the other coaches brought those artists back for a second audition.

The format discussions follow a year of audience growth for the singing competition. Seven said its audience rose 17 per cent year-on-year in 2026.

The 2026 season is available to stream on 7plus.