The Voice: Reports claim BBC will not bid for sixth series of singing show

In August, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale questioned whether bidding for the programme - said to have cost £55m - was a 'good use' of licence-payers’ money

The judges from the most recent series of the show that aired earlier this year (Getty Images)

The BBC has reportedly decided not to bid for a sixth series of the musical show The Voice, after criticism from Culture Secretary John Whittingdale.

In August, Mr Whittingdale questioned whether bidding for the programme - said to have cost £55m - was a “good use” of licence-payers’ money.

The Daily Mirror reported that the broadcaster had decided not to compete with ITV for the rights to the show.

A senior source told the newspaper: “We’d really like to hang on to The Voice, it’s a brilliant show and viewers love it, but we won’t get into a bidding war with ITV.”

Another insider added: “The BBC has had no choice but to walk away. In the face of all the cuts being made following the licence fee settlement it was impossible to compete. It’s a sad day, because it’s a BBC show.”

The Voice, which attracted by eight million viewers, currently featured high-profile musicians such as will-i-am, Boy George and Paloma Faith.