will.i.am breaks The Voice UK rules after contestant forgets lyrics

Although the Black Eyed Peas frontman has generally followed the rule since it was introduced in 2017, the rapper broke it during the latest episode after a memorable performance from grime artist AK.

Making a strong start on stage with a rap set to Survivor's Eye of the Tiger, the builder soon forgot the lyrics, leaving a long awkward pause before recovering. And while none of the coaches – will.i.am, Tom Jones, Olly Murs and Meghan Trainor – turned their chairs, will.i.am ran over to AK after the music had finished.

“What happened out there?” Will asked the 24-year-old contestant.

“I was so ready and I was practising so much,” AK replied. “As soon as I missed one bit, I was trying to catch it. I knew when the break came I was going to hit it even harder and make someone turn. But it is what it is."

After hugging AK goodbye, Will told his fellow coaches: “We saw someone stumble, fall, and then get up.”

“We've all been there as artists and it's not nice to make those mistakes,” Olly said. “He can now learn from that mistake for the next time he performs.”

“That used to happen to me,” added Meghan. “If I messed up one little thing, I’d freak myself out and mess up the rest of the song.”

Although AK won’t have another chance to impress the coaches in next week’s episode, there are still plenty of acts set to sing for a place in the competition. And, with a bit of luck, most of them will remember all their lyrics.

The Voice UK is on 8.30pm Saturday, ITV