Out gay Puerto Rican pop singer Ricky Martin has been confirmed as the surprise new coach on the next season of Nine’s hit talent show The Voice.

He tweeted his excitement last night to his 7.5 million followers:

Sending some mad love to everyone in #Australia! Cant wait to go back! Peace!🌊

— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) November 29, 2012

He’ll replace departing coach/judge Keith Urban in our local version of the contest, where he’s expected to join returning panel members Joel Madden, Seal and Sydney Mardi Gras 2013 party guest Delta Goodrem.

Nine’s director of television Michael Healy says Martin “brings huge experience to our panel of coaches, which he’ll pass on to our Australian Voice artists in 2013. Most of all, we think he’s the perfect addition.”

Most recently, Martin has been playing Ché in the Broadway revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita. He’s leave the cast to join us down under in February.

Martin has a long-term male partner, and the couple raise twin sons born to a surrogate. He came out as gay in 2010, writing on his official website: “I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am.”

We’re now wondering whether Ricky could be persuaded to join us at Mardi Gras in early March? We’d love to see him on stage there!