"The Voice" wouldn't be as equally iconic as it is now if it weren't for the presence of Blake Shelton in the series. Now that the first season without him has started, fans are beginning to notice how the dynamic has changed since he left.
However, his wife, Gwen Stefani, who returned this new season, made sure his presence was felt.
Blake Shelton Returned To The Voice Despite Quitting As Coach?
On last Monday's episode, Gwen Stefani dazzled everyone with her return as coach. She sported a black and white checkered ensemble, partnered with her "Shelton" and "Stefani" necklace.
Stefani made sure she brought her husband along with her on the first day of the show without him. Shelton left the show last season, making him the last of the original coaches, and the longest-standing coach of the entire show and the franchise in general.
Shelton has spent a record-breaking 23 seasons before leaving the show. He has won the show nine times, with the last being Season 22 with Bryce Leatherwood.
Entertainment Tonight noted that this wasn't the first time that Stefani had worn the necklace in the show, but it was definitely the first time she did when Shelton wasn't around.
READ ALSO: Gwen Stefani Having a Hard Time Without Blake Shelton on 'The Voice'?: 'I Miss Him So Bad'
Niall Horan Misses Blake Shelton on 'The Voice'
Stefani wasn't the only person on the Coache's Bench who had missed Shelton. Niall Horan does too!
When the coaches spoke to Entertainment Tonight, Horan admitted that he misses his "TV dad."
"Of course I miss Blake," Niall confessed. "I'm glad I was there for his last season. I got to learn off him and have a bit of a laugh while doing it."
The two have developed some sort of a bond in Shelton's last season, akin to a father and his eldest son.
When asked Stefani about the dynamics, she had this to say: "Every time he comes to town, he's like, 'Can I come over?'. They're like little-big buddies."
In fact, Niall Horan had to use Blake Shelton to woo in a potential star on his team. When Niall pressed a button, Shelton's voice rang in the whole studio: "Niall is like a son to me," Blake said in a recording. "Niall is a global superstar. Niall is an attractive guy."
Surely, Blake Shelton hasn't left the building!
READ ALSO: Reba McEntire Shares True Feelings Over 'Mean' 'The Voice' Coaches: 'So Devious'
