The Voice UK Viewers Divided as Coaches Battle for Standout Singer With Impromptu Performances

The Voice UK returned to ITV with a lively new round of blind auditions on Saturday, August 23, but one particularly competitive battle between the coaches quickly became a major talking point among viewers.

Host Emma Willis welcomed another group of hopeful singers looking to earn a place on the show, with will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher occupying the famous red chairs.

Among the night’s standout contestants was Monique Nicholson-Porter, whose performance of Ariana Grande’s “pov” prompted an emphatic response from the entire panel. All five coaches turned their chairs, leaving Monique with her pick of teams.

What followed was an increasingly elaborate attempt to persuade her.

Coaches turn the battle for Monique into a singing contest

With every coach hoping to secure Monique, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones decided that a conventional sales pitch wasn’t enough.

The pair began singing Kelly Rowland’s hit “Dilemma” in front of her, effectively using one of Kelly’s own songs as part of their attempt to beat her to the contestant.

will.i.am soon joined the musical battle with a performance of his own, while Sir Tom Jones also sang as the coaches competed for Monique’s attention.

Despite their efforts, Monique ultimately chose Kelly, the former Destiny’s Child star, as her coach.

The unusual pitch divided viewers at home, however. While the coaches were clearly having fun, several people watching felt the sequence went too far.

“They’re using Kelly’s song against her. She needs to fight back now with one of their songs #thevoiceuk,” one viewer wrote on X.

Another urged Kelly to respond, posting: “C’mon Kelly you can’t have that. Sing your song back #Thevoiceuk.”

Others were less entertained by the impromptu performances. One viewer described the moment as “cringe,” while another wrote: “All this singing by the judges are too cheesy for me #TheVoiceUK.”

Other viewers loved the coaches’ chemistry

Not everyone shared the criticism.

Sir Tom’s voice attracted particular praise, with one viewer writing: “Tom Jones is 86 years old and he still has a voice like that. INCREDIBLE! #TheVoiceUK.”

Another enjoyed the chemistry between the coaches, singling out Danny and Kelly’s exchanges: “Danny and Kelly’s friendly banter is so funny #TheVoiceUK.”

The reactions came as the ITV talent competition began another series with its current coaching lineup, but reports suggest further changes could already be on the horizon.

Cheryl reportedly in talks to join The Voice UK

Girls Aloud star Cheryl has reportedly emerged as a potential new coach for the next series, with filming due to begin in September.

According to The Sun, negotiations are said to have reached their final stages. A source claimed producers have approached Cheryl about joining the programme in previous years, only for her to turn down the opportunity because the timing wasn’t right.

This year, however, the situation is reportedly different.

“Every year producers ask Cheryl to go on the show and it’s a polite ‘no’ as the timing has never quite been right,” the source said. “This year it’s different. She feels ready to re-enter the spotlight and talks are now in the final stages.”

The source cautioned that the agreement could still fall through but claimed the production team was proceeding on the assumption that Cheryl would participate, with filming only weeks away.

Her longstanding friendship with will.i.am was also cited as a factor that could make the move more comfortable for her.

The Daily Mirror has contacted representatives for Cheryl and ITV for comment, meaning her involvement has not been officially confirmed.

Emma Willis could also be part of another reported shake-up

Cheryl’s potential arrival isn’t the only change being discussed. Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon have also reportedly been considered as possible replacements for Emma Willis as host.

Willis has presented The Voice UK since 2014, but her television commitments have continued to grow.

Alongside hosting Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK with her husband Matt Willis, she is also taking on a presenting role with Strictly Come Dancing when the programme returns in September.

For now, however, Willis remains at the helm as the latest group of singers attempts to impress the five coaches — and, judging by the reaction to Monique’s audition, the competition between the stars in the chairs may prove just as entertaining as the performances on stage.

The Voice UK airs Saturday nights on ITV1 and ITVX.