Kevin Simm, the Liberty X singer who won The Voice UK in 2016, has branded the programme "a waste of f***ing time" in comments published by Closer Magazine and widely picked up by London's Evening Standard and The Independent. The 46-year-old, who was mentored by Paloma Faith during his run, told the magazine: "It never does anything for the winners, why is it still on television?" Both outlets frame the attack as striking precisely because it comes from inside the show's own winners' circle. The Standard notes ITV has been contacted for comment.

The sting for fans is that Simm is one of the few winners who did get somewhere afterwards.

The Independent adds that he beat Jolan Gidney-Craigen in the final under coach Ricky Wilson, replaced Marti Pellow as Wet Wet Wet's frontman in 2018, and will rejoin Liberty X for an upcoming reunion tour with Hear'Say. Yet ten years on, he no longer counts himself a fan.

The counter-examples show how narrow the exception is.

The Independent reports The Voice UK has produced 13 winners but very few lasting careers, citing Brit Award winner Becky Hill from series one and Jamie Miller, who finished third in 2017 and this week topped the UK singles chart with "Babydoll" — which The Standard says makes him the first Welsh artist in 15 years to reach number one.

The Standard also notes the show has seen 16 coaches come and go, per The Independent, and most contestants' music fails to break the UK top 40 — context that backs Simm's complaint even as Miller defies it.

The outburst lands as the show is in upheaval. The Independent reports the series 14 final airs Friday 31 October, marking Sir Tom Jones's last appearance on the panel after he claimed in September he had been "fired" by ITV, citing "financial difficulty with insurance" and a reduced role offer.

The Standard quotes ITV's spokesperson saying the network will "continue to talk to Sir Tom and his team about his involvement in the next series." A panel overhaul is under way: The Standard reports will.i.am will be joined by returning Kelly Rowland, plus newcomers Cheryl and Aitch.

Attention now shifts to Friday's series 14 final, which The Independent says will double as a farewell moment for Jones alongside will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.

Whether ITV responds to Simm's criticism remains open — The Standard notes the broadcaster was approached for comment on his remarks.

For vocal-competition watchers, the reunion tour with Liberty X and Hear'Say gives Simm a stage to prove his career survived the show, while Miller's chart-topping run — including a performance of "Babydoll" on Strictly Come Dancing's results show, per The Independent — offers the counterargument live.