By Basant El-Faramawy
The Voice UK winner Kevin Simm has described competing on the ITV talent show as “a waste of time” despite winning the 2016 series. The 46-year-old singer, originally a member of pop group Liberty X, made the comments in an interview with Closer magazine.
Simm's criticism of The Voice
“As much as my time on The Voice was brilliant, I do think that show is just a waste of f***ing time,” Simm said. “It never does anything for the winners. Why is it still on television?” he added.
Career after The Voice
After winning, Simm signed with Universal and released his second studio album in 2016. In 2018, he became the lead singer of Wet Wet Wet, replacing Marti Pellow. This October, it was announced he would rejoin Liberty X for a reunion tour.
The Voice UK's track record
The Voice UK has produced 13 winners since its 2012 debut on BBC One before moving to ITV in 2017. Few winners have achieved sustained music careers, though exceptions include Becky Hill, who won two Brit Awards after competing in the first series, and Jamie Miller, who recently topped the UK charts with “Babydoll” after finishing third in 2017. The series 14 final is scheduled for 31 October, marking Sir Tom Jones’s last appearance as a coach alongside will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones.
