Alicia Keys stepping down as The Voice judge to focus on new album

Alicia Keys is stepping down as a judge on TV talent show The Voice.

The No One singer has announced she won't be returning to the big red chair alongside Miley Cyrus next season.

Instead, Alicia will be focusing on her new album, which fans can expect "soon".

"I'm about halfway," she told Entertainment Tonight. "I'm ready for the next one already, which was kind of the plan the whole time... and my next body of work is already in the works. I'm excited!

"I can't wait for you to hear new music, and so that's one of the reasons why I won't be able to come back next season."

But fellow judge Blake Shelton insists Alicia won't be gone for good: "I know she's not going anywhere," he joked. "It's all just a media thing, a ploy. She'll be back next year and the year after that."

Shelton's girlfriend Gwen Stefani and Adam Levine are also current judges on the hit show.