Niall Horan is worried he lost his momentum on The Voice by taking time off from the show.

Horan, 31, revealed how he feels about returning as a coach to NBC’s singing competition after taking three seasons off in a video with fellow coach Michael Bublé shared via The Voice’s official Instagram on Monday, August 11.

“My friend Niall Horan is coming back to coach season 28 of The Voice. He’s been gone for a few years. He’s gonna tell you how he feels about it because he’s a little nervous,” Bublé, 49, told the camera with his arms crossed in front of his chest. “And you better be nice.”

Horan, who had been standing in the background and fixing his hair in a mirror, then stepped forward to share his thoughts as Bublé observed from behind with a serious expression on his face.

The Voice quickly became a success after it debuted on NBC in 2011, with Carson Daly as host and a group of successful coaches ready to find the next superstar. Kicking off the first season, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, CeeLo Green and Adam Levine filled the coaches’ chairs, each bringing their different expertise to the […]

“Yeah, you know, I’m coming back as a coach. I took a year out to go on tour, and I’m not sure how I feel about coming back. … It’s a nerve-wracking experience to come back, and I’m not sure if anyone’s going to want to be on my team,” the former One Direction member said.

Expressing his fears over being able to convince artists to join his team, he continued, “Are my pitching skills going to be up to standard? Yeah, in a way, I kind of wish I didn’t take a year out because I would have just been on a roll, but it is nerve-wracking, you know? It’s not easy.”

Fans showed support for Horan in the comments section.

“‘We love you Niall’ we all say in unison,” one user wrote, while another person added, “Niall ur doing amazing sweetie.”

“We love you, Niall! Don’t worry 😂,” a third fan commented.

Horan previously served as a coach in seasons 23 and 24 in 2023. He won both times, with artists Gina Miles and Huntley, respectively.

After touring the world to promote his third studio album, The Show, in 2024, Horan is set to return to The Voice for season 28 this fall. He’ll be coaching alongside fellow returnees Bublé, Snoop Dogg and Reba McEntire.

“Excited to be back!” Horan wrote via X when the coaches were announced in May.

During the semifinals of his inaugural season, Horan reflected on the best and worst parts of being a coach.

The Voice hasn’t been the same since Kelly Clarkson’s been gone, but fans won’t have to watch the show without her much longer. In July 2025, NBC announced a special “Battle of the Champions” format change for season 29, featuring the return of Clarkson and two other past coaches. “A Voice first, the upcoming spring […]

“I’m sick of making hard decisions. I’ve really struggled,” he admitted. Horan also said he felt like a “deer in the headlights” at first.

“It was just like, there’s a red chair. Press the button when you feel like it,” he said, noting that “the rest of it, navigating your way through the production of the show,” was also a challenge.

Horan said he found it helpful to observe The Voice “legend” Blake Shelton, who left the show after 23 seasons in May 2023.

“It’s been the best learning experience for me,” Horan continued. “I’ve just grown into it, and just really enjoyed it. … The team environment with all the artists and contestants [has] been really fun. I do look forward to doing it again.”

The Voice season 28 premieres on Monday, September 22, and Tuesday, September 23, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.