The Voice UK plagued by toxic in-fighting, 'fix' accusations and a never-ending parade of coaches - as Tom Jones' sacking is another bum note for struggling show

The Voice UK producers have come under fire from Sir Tom Jones this week, after he claimed he was fired over insurance reasons. In a statement, the singer claimed: 'I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show,' adding that 'the only thing I know right now, is that there's never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job'.Amid the upheaval, it's been claimed Cheryl is set to make her TV comeback with a spot on the judging panel, while Aitch is rumoured to replace McFly duo Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher who are leaving the show.Eyebrows have been raised over the timing of the reshuffle, with filming for the next series set to begin this week, while the current season, airing weekly on ITV, has been pre-recorded. It's the latest in a long line of scandals to befall the show, which launched in 2012 with an average viewership of over seven million, but this year returned for series 14 and had its lowest launch figure to date – just 1.9 million.So while billed as a progressive show that focuses purely on talent rather than appearance, behind the scenes it seems the show is anything but harmonious. How The Voice UK has been plagued by toxic in-fighting, 'fix' accusations and a never-ending parade of coaches - as Tom Jones' sacking marks another bum note for struggling show (L-R coaches Sir Tom, Danny Jones, Kelly Rowland, Will.i.am and Tom Fletcher) During the live season two finale, some viewers thought Holly Willoughby's low-cut black dress was not appropriate for a family show, prompting 139 complaints to Ofcom'Inappropriate' outfits The Voice sparked controversy from the start, when original host Holly Willoughby was chastised for her wardrobe. During the live season two finale, some viewers thought Holly's low-cut black dress was not appropriate for a family show, prompting 139 complaints to OfcomBroadcast Now noted that the show was broadcast from 7.15pm to 9.30pm on Saturday, meaning most of the programme aired prior to the 9pm watershed.While Ofcom did not investigate the complaints, the BBC apologised for any offence caused. 'We're sorry if some viewers found Holly's dress to be unsuitable,' a BBC spokeswoman said. 'Holly enjoys fashion and we felt the dress she wore for the live final of The Voice UK was glamorous and wholly appropriate for the occasion.'We don't believe it would have gone against audience expectations for a TV spectacle such as this.'Never-ending lineup of coaches A whopping 18 coaches have spun around on the red chairs since the show began. The first two seasons saw Jessie J, Danny O'Donoghue, Will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones serve as coachesA whopping 18 coaches have spun around on the red chairs since the show began. The first two seasons saw Will.i.am, Jessie J, Sir Tom Jones and Danny O'Donoghue serve as coaches. Yet in season three, Jessie and Danny were replaced by Kylie Minogue and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson.The following year Rita Ora – who has also been a coach on The Voice Australia – stepped in to replace Kylie Minogue.Season five saw Sir Tom's first departure from the show, along with Rita's, and they were replaced by Boy George and Paloma Faith.Season six saw the BBC show moved to ITV, who completely shook up the lineup, bringing back Sir Tom to coach alongside Will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Gavin Rossdale.Gavin then left the lineup and Olly Murs took over for season seven and eight. Then Meghan Trainor replaced Jennifer Hudson for one year before Anne-Marie replaced Meghan for a stable three-series run.By season 13 there was another shakeup, with LeAnn Rimes and McFly's Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones (in the show's first double chair) replacing Anne-Marie and Olly.The current coaching panel saw Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland make her debut, replacing LeAnn Rimes alongside Will.i.am, Sir Tom and the McFly duo. However, Sir Tom and the McFly duo have since left the show, with Cheryl and Aitch said to be their replacements. Coach clashes While they may only have appeared on one season together, Boy George and Paloma Faith made headlines with their reported clashes on set (pictured with Ricky Wilson and Will.i.am) However, this month, George reignited their feud when he criticised Paloma Faith for voicing her support for rapper Macklemore, who shouted 'Free Palestine' during an Ed Sheeran gig George tweeted: '@edsheeran clearly has no spine and as for @Palomafaith and her stupid virtuous squealing of delight about Mackle-bore when she is about as political as a soggy tuna sandwich. The whole thing makes me queasy' While they may only have appeared on one season together, Boy George and Paloma Faith made headlines with their reported clashes on set. It was reported in 2015 that the Manchester auditions saw the two clash – with the Do You Really Want To Hurt Me crooner branding Paloma 'bitchy' and 'rude'.Tempers reportedly flared as they both attempted to lure the same singer to their team – with Paloma pretending to fall asleep and snore as George made his bid.Paloma later recalled the tense exchange in her memoir, MILF, in which George allegedly made a sexist remark that was ultimately cut from the reality TV contest.While she did not name the coach, Paloma – who was undergoing IVF at the time – recalled: 'It was an ill-timed and misread joke, intended to be a bit of theatre, but he took offence and came back with a cutting quip, saying I had "probably got PMT" and was "rude".'The PMT remark was obviously cut from the edit.''On this day, pumped full of hormones, I felt both shame at experiencing that in front of a studio audience, and like I couldn't retaliate due to my desire to save face.'I ran off stage, to the toilets, and blacked out. I don't actually have a recollection of any of it until I came to on the floor with my then PA's hands cupping me face... 'Apparently I was shouting something like, "My f***ing father" over and over again... and sort of convulsing.'Paloma added that production then organised a period of 'conflict resolution' with the other coach before they continued filming.Responding to reports of the fallout at the time, George told Digital Spy that he and Paloma had known each other 'a long time' before appearing together on The Voice.'First of all, nobody makes anyone cry, crying is a personal choice,' he said. 'And Paloma's gorgeous, I worship and adore her. And we had a right laugh about it afterwards. And she sent me a note saying "I will never do it again" and she did it again!'We've been out to dinner so you know, we'll cope with each other, it's fine. Initially, it's all about finding out where people's boundaries are, what you can get away with, what you can say to them. Now we know where we stand.'However, this month, George reignited their feud when he criticised Paloma Faith for voicing her support for rapper Macklemore – who is facing a boycott petition after he called out 'Free Palestine' onstage while supporting Ed Sheeran.George tweeted: 'On the subject of @macklemore it's important to note that slogans such as 'Free Palestine' offer the appearance of moral courage without requiring much political knowledge.'@edsheeran clearly has no spine and as for @Palomafaith and her stupid virtuous squealing of delight about Mackle-bore when she is about as political as a soggy tuna sandwich. The whole thing makes me queasy.'When questioned if he is still 'buddy buddy' with Paloma, he responded that 'all showbiz relationships are sequin deep!'The Tom Jones controversy This week isn't the first time Sir Tom has been dealt a blow by The Voice team. Back in 2015, the singer was dropped from the show for the first time, replaced by George and PalomaThis week isn't the first time Sir Tom has been dealt a blow by The Voice team. Back in 2015, the singer was dropped from the show for the first time, with he and Rita Ora replaced by George and Paloma, who served as coaches with Wil.i.am and Ricky Wilson. The talent show's bosses decision to drop Tom as the fourth coach was only announced as the replacements were unveiled.The BBC defended informing Tom of the shake-up at the last minute at the time, insisting it was only to keep the new additions top-secret.A spokesman said: 'The final decision on the coaches' line-up for series 5 of The Voice was only taken on Wednesday and Tom's team was informed early yesterday morning.'We then announced it to the press so that it didn't leak. This has been the same every year and no role was ever promised.'Yet Tom responded with a lengthy Facebook post, in which he labelled producers' actions 'disappointing'.The statement read: 'About The Voice UK: In good faith, as part of the team, I’d put the time in my schedule to be involved in Series 5, as I’ve done so for the last 4 years. I’ve supported the show and the BBC since the beginning.'I was told yesterday, with no consultation or conversation of any kind, that I would not be returning. Having been through plenty of transformations throughout the years, I support and admire creative change. But being informed, as a matter of duty and respect, is an important part of creative relationships.'This sub-standard behaviour from the executives is very disappointing. I will always admire the courage of the performers who participate in the show, as well as all the production staff who worked tirelessly to make a great family viewing experience for the audience at home. I wish the show well.'He later wrote in his autobiography: 'To say I was shocked is to put it mildly. But my shock wasn't about the fact they had replaced me. My shock was about the way they did it.'Sir Tom claimed that when his management questioned the decision to replace him, BBC bosses simply said he was 'out of contract'.'Indisputable as a bald statement of fact, I guess. But what a cold place the BBC is. Sometimes you wonder whether it is run by humans or a machine in the basement,' he quipped.'It's a shame because I always treasured the BBC - always had this strong British attachment to it.'While he was off air Sir Tom 'liked' tuning into the show, then after a one-series absence, he returned as a judge when the programme made the switch to ITV.The Corporation's television boss Danny Cohen later offered Sir Tom a sincere apology, saying he's 'truly sorry' for upsetting the 'extraordinary figure'.'I've got huge respect for Tom and I'm truly sorry he's upset because I am a big fan of his,' he said.'I think he's a gentleman, I think he's an extraordinary figure in music and you'll have seen the huge respect that all of the artists have had for him on The Voice throughout.'Yet a decade on and history has repeated itself, with Sir Tom axed from the panel once more. Sir Tom released a statement on Tuesday that read: 'To be clear, I did not want to leave The Voice as I love the show and really appreciate the audience. ITV made this decision — obviously a while ago, and I was told just recently.'The reason given is because of a financial difficulty with insurance. They now say in the press they wanted to "refresh" the show, and with a new coaching line-up there wouldn't be a chair for me.'He added that ITV had offered him 'a much-reduced role where I would make an appearance but without being actually involved from the start, and I'm not thrilled about that.'So the only thing I know right now, is that there's never a good time to fire an 86-year-old who's still pretty good at his job.''Fix' accusations Questions were raised in 2016, when Paloma seemingly admitted to arranging a contestant’s progression to the next stage, dropping Liberty X singer Kevin Simm and allowing Ricky Wilson to save him by 'stealing' him. Kevin went on to win the showOver the years, fans have also questioned if the competition is staged – which producers have explicitly denied. Questions were raised in 2016, when Paloma seemingly admitted to arranging a contestant’s progression to the next stage. During the show, former Liberty X singer Kevin Simm made it to the knockout stage despite losing to teenager Faith Nelson in the battle rounds.After Paloma chose to save the teen, rival coach Ricky then opted to ‘steal’ Kevin from Paloma’s team by hitting his buzzer – saving him from elimination. Discussing the move, Paloma was quoted in The Mirror, suggesting the decision to save Kevin was pre-planned and had been 'agreed beforehand' with Ricky.However, in a statement, a spokesman confirmed the two coaches had discussed Kevin before the recording of the show, but that there was '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.'Kevin ultimately won the competition. That same season, eyebrows were raised again when one of the frontrunners, Cody Frost, crashed out of the competition early. Her mentor George then said they were both 'pleased' about the outcome because Cody did not want to sing the winner's song, an original track called All You Good Friends.When asked if it was the end of the road for Cody, George said: 'No. She doesn't have to do the winner's single either, so we're pleased about that.'