The Voice UK 2016: competition denies fix claims as Paloma Faith hints that Kevin Simms steal was pre-arranged

The mentor said that Ricky Wilson agreed to take on the axed contestant before the battle
Controversy: Did Paloma Faith and Ricky Wilson pre-arrange Kevin Simm's steal on The Voice UK?
Ray Burmiston/BBC
Ben Travis7 March 2016

The Voice UK is denying fix claims after Paloma Faith revealed that a moment in Saturday night’s show was pre-arranged.

The latest episode saw contestants Kevin Simm and Faith Nelson face off in the battle rounds, with Faith chosen to continue in the competition.

However, Ricky Wilson saved former Liberty X singer Kevin Simm from leaving the competition by ‘stealing’ him.

Speaking to The Mirror, Faith said that she had previously ‘agreed’ with Wilson for him to steal Simm.

“Losing Kevin was the hardest battle round decision. I wasn’t sleeping because of it. So Ricky and I agreed beforehand that he would take Kevin,” she said. “I sent Kevin an email afterwards to tell him I thought he could win the whole competition and to explain that I knew he’d be saved.”

She added: “Kevin’s one of only two acts this series to get four of us turning, whereas only two of us had turned for Faith.

“But I was really sure about her. So I had to make sure they both stayed. It would have been 100 per cent ­ridiculous to get rid of someone that talented.”

The Voice 2016

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Speaking to the Evening Standard, a spokesperson for the show said that there is "no truth in this ‘fix' claim".

They added: "The conversation between Ricky and Paloma before that battle record was her asking him to steal Kevin if she didn't choose him. He did not agree or disagree."

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