The Voice 2016: Ricky Wilson and Will.i.am had an argument over a contestant

'I can’t sit here and be fake'

Ricky Wilson on The Voice (BBC)

While most arguments on The Voice happen between contestant and judge, last night's episode saw Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson share a heated exchange.

After Sunderland rocker Billy Black auditioned with ‘Bad Case of Loving You’ by Robert Palmer, not one of the four judges turned their chair to take him through to the next round.

The Black Eyed Peas singer suggested Wilson - who sings with British band The Kaiser Chiefs - should have turned because he’s also a rock singer.

“Why do you always do that?” Wilson asked. “I never say ‘you should have turned for them’. It just really annoys me.”

Mr I.Am retorted: “Don’t get bent out of shape because of my opinion. ‘He’s doing rock, you do rock, and he probably came on the show thinking there was someone who was right for it.

“You don’t have to turn for it but I have to give my opinion, I can’t sit here and be fake.”

Then, in a damning evaluation for Billy Black, Wilson said: “Everything I turn for I truly have to believe can win the show, I didn’t believe that would win the show, that was my honest answer.”

Luckily, Boy George was on hand to calm the situation down, saying “Calm down, you’re both pretty.” Thanks, George.

In other The Voice news, this is the last season that will air on the BBC, the broadcaster having been outbid for the rights to the show by ITV.

It is unknown whether ITV will still show The X Factor as well as The Voice, especially considering ratings for last season were way below previous seasons.