Beste Zangers, formerly De beste zangers van Nederland (English: The Best Singers (of the Netherlands)), is a Dutch reality television show by public broadcaster AVROTROS (a merger of AVRO and TROS, both part of the Netherlands Public Broadcasting). The first series was aired between 5 July and 30 August 2009 and was hosted by Edsilia Rombley. She was first replaced by singer and actor Victor Reinier (2010, 2011) before Jan Smit became the permanent host in 2012. The show has 17 seasons, the most recent from 2024.
In each series, a number of well-known performers take turns as the central artist in the hot seat that gets honoured by the other artists by singing songs that are of significance to that person. It can be a cover of one of their own songs, a song that inspires the artist in the hot seat or something from their past. In earlier seasons, the central artist decided who had to sing which song, while in later seasons the artists could pick one from a list themselves. The artist in the hot seat ranks the performances and picks a favourite performance, which results in that person being the winner of the episode. The first six seasons also have a final episode, where they discuss and vote on their favourites. Later, the voting became less important and they stopped doing this. In season 10 they introduced a final episode where the artists sing duets. The show format has since been used in other European countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, Estonia and Switzerland.
In July 2017, two compilations were broadcast in celebration of Beste Zangers' tenth anniversary.
Summary
SeasonDate of first broadcastDate of last broadcastHostLocationSingersWinners15 July 200930 August 2009Edsilia RombleyIbizaHenk Westbroek Gordon Albert West Danny de Munk Nick Schilder Simon Keizer Thomas BergeSimon Keizer218 July 201016 September 2010Victor ReinierFrans Bauer Frans Duijts Jamai Jan Dulles Jeroen van der Boom René Froger Syb van der PloegJamai319 March 20117 May 2011Southern FranceXander de Buisonjé Lange Frans Wolter Kroes Anita Meyer Glennis Grace Peter Koelewijn George Baker DoAnita Meyer42 May 201213 June 2012Jan SmitIbizaGerard Joling Ruth Jacott Berget Lewis Nikki Kerkhof Peter Beense Freek Bartels Yes-RBerget Lewis55 January 201316 February 2013Simone Kleinsma Charly Luske Rob de Nijs Angela Groothuizen Tim Douwsma Bastiaan Ragas Raffaëla PatonRaffaëla Paton67 May 20142 July 2014Niels Geusebroek Lisa Lois Sabrina Starke Jack Poels Ben Saunders Mattanja Joy Bradley Leona Philippo Dave von RavenSabrina Starke728 September 20142 November 2014René Froger André Hazes Jr. Monique Klemann Xander de Buisonjé Carolina Dijkhuizen Edsilia RombleyAndré Hazes Jr.813 June 201525 July 2015Jan Keizer Anouk Maas Frans Duijts Lange Frans Martin Buitenhuis Julia Zahra DoFrans Duijts and Julia Zahra921 May 201630 July 2016 René van Kooten Willeke Alberti Brownie Dutch Sharon Doorson O'G3NE Jeroen van der BoomWilleke Alberti1020 May 201722 July 2017 Anita Meyer Brace Kenny B Maan Tommie Christiaan Tania Kross Dennie ChristianAnita Meyer and Tania Kross111 September 201827 October 2018 Lee Towers Trijntje Oosterhuis Alain Clark Tino Martin Glen Faria Maria Fiselier Davina MichelleLee Towers and Trijntje Oosterhuis1224 August 201912 October 2019 Emma Heesters Floor Jansen Henk Poort Rolf Sanchez Ruben Annink Samantha Steenwijk Tim AkkermanSamantha Steenwijk and Rolf Sanchez133 September 202029 October 2020Nick & Simon Diggy Dex Milow Miss Montreal Stef Bos Suzan & Freek Tabitha WulfStef Bos 14 2 September 2021 28 October 2021 Jan Smit Limburg Alides Hidding Anneke van Giersbergen Belle Pérez Bökkers Joe Buck Karsu Roel van Velzen Bökkers and Roel van Velzen 15 11 August 202229 September 2022Seville Blanks Claudia de Breij Ferdi Bolland Jaap Reesema Nielson Roxeanne Hazes Sarita Lorena Jaap Reesema en Nielson16 2 September 2023 21 October 2023 Douwe Bob Duncan Laurence Marco Bakker MEAU Melanie Jonk Nick Schilder (b) Numidia17 14 September 2024 2 November 2024 Rikki Borgelt Hannah Mae Tangarine Matthijn Buwalda Karin Bloemen SERA Claude18 30 August 2025 18 October 2025 Paul de Leeuw Jacqueline Govaert Acda en De Munnik Typhoon Bente Snelle Laetitia Gerards
Season 1 (2009) The first season the series broadcast from 5 July 2009 to 30 August 2009, and hosted by Edsilia Rombley. Seven Dutch artists (Henk Westbroek, Gordon, Albert West, Danny de Munk, Nick Schilder, Simon Keizer and Thomas Berge) sang songs from each other's repertoire. The episodes were recorded in four days on Ibiza, accompanied by a live band playing the songs.
Episode 1 - Henk Westbroek Song Singer Original from "Vriendschap" Nick Schilder Het Goede Doel(where Westbroek was part of a duo) "Iedereen is van de wereld" Gordon The Scene "België (Is er leven op Pluto?)" Danny de Munk Het Goede DoelNooduitgang" Albert West Het Goede Doel "Kronenburg park" Simon Keizer Frank Boeijen "Zelfs je naam is mooi" Thomas Berge Henk Westbroek Winner: Albert West
Episode 2 - Simon Keizer Song Singer Original from "Pak maar mijn hand" Gordon Nick & Simon (where Simon Keizer was one half of the duo) "Everything" Nick Schilder Michael Bublé "Hoe lang" Thomas Berge Nick & Simon "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" Henk Westbroek Jack Johnson "Kijk omhoog" Danny de Munk Nick & Simon "De dag dat alles beter is" Albert West Nick & Simon Winner: Danny de Munk
Episode 3 - Danny de Munk Song Singer Original from "Mijn stad" Simon Keizer Danny de Munk "Bloemetje" Albert West Danny de Munk Hard to Handle" Nick Schilder Otis Redding "Ik voel me zo verdomd alleen" Thomas Berge Danny de Munk "Hart en ziel" Henk Westbroek Danny de Munk "Vrienden voor het leven" Gordon Danny de Munk
Winner: Nick Schilder
Episode 4 - Gordon
Song Singer Original from "Ik hou van jou" Albert West Maribelle "Never nooit meer" Simon Keizer Gordon "Hallelujah" Nick Schilder Leonard Cohen "Kon ik maar even bij je zijn" Thomas Berge Gordon "Shine" Danny de Munk De Toppers(where Gordon Heuckeroth was formerly a member) "Omdat ik zo van je hou" Henk Westbroek Gordon Winner: Nick Schilder
Episode 5 - Thomas Berge
Song Singer Original from "Jij bent mijn leven" Albert West Thomas Berge Viva la Vida Simon Keizer Coldplay "Zonder jou" Danny de Munk Thomas Berge "Ieder moment" Henk Westbroek Thomas Berge "Angels" Gordon Robbie Williams "Everybody's Changing" Nick Schilder Keane Winner: Henk Westbroek
Episode 6 - Albert West
Song Singer Original from "Is This the Way to Amarillo" Danny de Munk (with Albert West) Neil Sedaka Put Your Head on My Shoulder Gordon Paul Anka "Cha La La I Need You" Nick Schilder The Shuffles "Ginny Come Lately" Henk Westbroek Albert West "Look at Me" Simon Keizer Buddy Holly "Words" Thomas Berge Bee Gees Winner: Thomas Berge
Episode 7 - Nick Schilder Song Singer Original from "Steeds weer" Henk Westbroek Nick & Simon "Wonderful World" Simon Keizer James Morrison "Op een onbewoond eiland" Albert West Kinderen Voor Kinderen I Knew You Were Waiting" Gordon (with Edsilia Rombley) George Michael and Aretha Franklin "Rosanne" Danny de Munk (with Simon Keizer) Nick & Simon "De soldaat" Thomas Berge Nick & Simon Winner - Henk Westbroek
Episode 8 In the final episode, the singers are asked to look back at their performances. In addition, they are allowed to choose another eventual replacement and give him/her an extra point. This showed that Simon Keizer was the eventual overall winner of the program by 2 extra points.
Season 2 (2010) The second season was broadcast from 18 July 2010 to 16 September 2010 and hosted by Victor Reinier. Seven Dutch artists (Frans Bauer, Frans Duijts, Jamai, Jan Dulles, Jeroen van der Boom, René Froger and Syb van der Ploeg) sang songs from each other's repertoire. The episodes were recorded in Ibiza, accompanied by a live band playing the songs.
Episode 1 - Jeroen van der Boom
Song Singer Original from "Betekenis" Jan Dulles Jeroen van der Boom"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" Frans Bauer Bob Dylan"Eén wereld"Jamai LomanJeroen van der Boom"Jij bent zo" (in West Frisian)Syb van der PloegJeroen van der Boom"Het is over"Frans Duijts (with Jeroen van der Boom)Jeroen van der Boom"Amor de mis amores" / "Laat me"René FrogerPaco / Ramses Shaffy Winner: Frans Duijts
Episode 2 - Jamai Loman
Song Singer Original from"Step Right Up"Frans BauerJamai Loman"Circle of Life"Jeroen van der BoomElton John"The Show Must Go On"Syb van der PloegQueen"Freedom"Jan DullesWham! / George Michael"Suspicious Minds"Frans DuijtsMark James Elvis Presley"God Only Knows"René FrogerThe Beach Boys Winner: Syb van der Ploeg
Episode 3 - René Froger
Song Singer Original from"Why Are You So Beautiful"Jeroen van der BoomRené Froger"Alles kan een mens gelukkig maken"Syb van der PloegRené Froger"This Is the Moment"Jan DullesRené Froger"Nobody Else"Jamai LomanRené Froger"Just Say Hello"Frans DuijtsRené Froger"Winter in America"Frans BauerRené Froger Winner: Jan Dulles
Episode 4 - Syb van der Ploeg
Song Singer Original fromRaakJeroen van der BoomDe Kast (Syb van der Ploeg was part of the band)"Als ik jou zie"René FrogerSyb van der Ploeg"Hart van mijn gevoel"Jan DullesDe Kast"In de wolken"Jamai LomanDe Kast"In nije dei" (with Syb van der Ploeg)Frans DuijtsDe Kast"Woorden zonder woorden"Frans BauerDe Kast Winner - Jan Dulles
Episode 5 - Jan Dulles
Song Singer Original fromBevlogen als vogelsRené Froger3JSDe zomer voorbijFrans Duijts3JSWatermensenJeroen van der Boom3JSGeloven in het levenSyb van der Ploeg3JSMake it mineJamai LomanJason MrazWiegeliedFrans Bauer3JS Winner: Jeroen van der Boom
Episode 6 - Frans Duijts
Song Singer Original from"Jij denkt maar dat je alles mag van mij"Syb van der PloegFrans Duijts"Green Green Grass of Home"Jan DullesTom Jones"Ik mis je"René FrogerFrans Duijts"Dochters"Jamai LomanMarco Borsato"Lieveling"Frans BauerFrans Duijts"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"Jeroen van der Boom & René FrogerElton John & George Michael Winner - René Froger
Episode 7 - Frans Bauer
Song Singer Original from"Als sterren aan de hemel staan"Jamai LomanFrans Bauer"Heb je even voor mij"Frans DuijtsFrans Bauer"I Feel Good"Jan DullesJames Brown"Samen in een Bubbelbad"Jeroen van der BoomFrans Bauer"Hotel California"Syb van der PloegThe Eagles"Dag uit duizend dromen"René FrogerFrans Bauer Winner - René Froger
Episode 8 - Final the final episode was a look back at previous performances to decide on an overall winner for the second season.
Favorite of Sung Song Sung by OriginalFrans Duijts"Ik mis je"René FrogerFrans DuijtsJeroen van der Boom"Het is over"Frans DuijtsJeroen van der BoomJan Dulles"Eén wereld"Jamai LomanJeroen van der BoomJamai Loman"Watermensen"Jeroen van der Boom3JSRené Froger"Knockin' on Heaven's Door"Frans BauerBob DylanSyb van der Ploeg"Hart van mijn gevoel"Jan DullesDe KastFrans Bauer"The Show Must Go On"Syb van der PloegQueen
Who voted for whom Artist Voted forFrans DuijtsJan DullesJeroen van der BoomJamai LomanJan DullesJamai LomanJamai LomanJeroen van der BoomRené FrogerJeroen van der BoomSyb van der PloegJan DullesFrans BauerJamai Loman
Number of votes Artist Number ofvotesJamai LomanJan DullesJeroen van der Boom
Overall Winner: Jamai Loman
Season 3 (2011) The third season ran from 19 March 2011 to 7 May 2011 and was hosted for a second year in a row by Victor Reinier. 2011 participating artists were Xander de Buisonjé, Lange Frans, Wolter Kroes, Anita Meyer, Glennis Grace, Peter Koelewijn, George Baker and the singer Do.
Episode 1 - Peter Koelewijn
Song Singer Original from "Je wordt ouder pappa" Xander de Buisonjé Peter Koelewijn "Mij oh mij" George Baker Peter Koelewijn "Sprong in het duister" Anita Meyer Peter Koelewijn "Marijke" Do Peter Koelewijn "Angeline" Lange Frans Peter Koelewijn "Alice" Glennis Grace Peter Koelewijn "Kom van dat dak af!" Wolter Kroes Peter Koelewijn Winner: Xander de Buisonjé