FIRST LOOK at The Voice auditions: Sparks fly

Sparks fly between coaches Jessie J and Will.i.am as they squabble over contestants as The Voice returns this weekend.
During the first edition of the show, the pair are embroiled in a heated exchange after Jessie takes exception to the Black Eyed Peas star chipping in while she is trying to entice a hopeful to her team.
The programme returns on Saturday night for the first round of auditions in which the coaches choose the wannabes they would like on their team.

 

 

 Hopefuls:  Matt Henry and Leanne Jarvis sing their hearts out on the blind audition of The Voice - set to air on Saturday evening

But Jessie accuses Will of siding with fellow judge Danny O'Donoghue and claims that he is continually trying to stop the contestants from choosing her. In the show the coaches often have to go head-to-head to persuade the best entrants they should join their roster.
At one stage, Jessie grumbles: 'He never wants people to pick me.'
The dispute led to fellow panellist Sir Tom Jones wading in to sort out the argument after an audition was over.

 

Guitarist: Danny County takes to the stage in a cap and rather unusual shirt

 

Singing her heart out: Kirsty Crawford shows the judges what she is made of

Jessie moaned: 'I think it's unfair to influence them on their decisions.'
But Will defended his decision to offer his view when a contestant seemed unable to make a decision between Jessie and O'Donoghue.
He said: 'They asked for my help - it's not passing out cookies.
'I think I did the right thing because he obviously couldn't make a decision.'

 

Getting ready for fame: Will Ash Morgan impress with his voice?

 

 

Sultry: Former Bluecoat Katie Benbow goes vintage for the audition while  Louis Coupe relies on the power of his voice

Jessie looked stony-faced after the heated exchange following an audition by 22-year-old Danny County from London.
Former '90s singers Kavana and Cleo Higgins from Cleopatra are among the 'has-been' pop stars trying their luck for a second chance of chart fame.

 

Star gazer: Mike Ward also appears in the first episode of The Voice, hoping to impress

 

 

Second shot at fame: '90s singer Kavana and Hear'Say's Danny Foster are auditionees on the new series of The Voice

 

Scrapping: Sir Tom Jones, Danny O'Donoghue, Jessie J and Will.i.am are back (pictured here last May)

Hear'say's Danny Foster, who found fame on reality show Popstars in 2001, is also an auditionee, as well as soul singer Nate James, who was nominated for two MOBO Awards in 2005.
The foursome's inclusion on the show has prompted questions whether former pop stars should be allowed to audition.
Anthony Kavana, 35, released two albums in the late '90s and had a No.8 single with I Can Make You Feel Good.

 

Back in the day: Danny with his Hear'Say bandmates Kym Lomas, Myleene Klass, Noel Sullivan and Suzanne Shaw in 2001

Earlier this month, he tweeted he had been on the show, but was 'gutted' after failing to progress past the blind audition.
He wrote: 'Few things, I need to get off my chest...you'll see me on TV soon. On The Voice, BBC One. I didn't get through, but I gave it a good go.'
Since his pop career failed to make the impact he hoped, he has been songwriting and acting and was a runner-up in TV talent show Grease Is The Word in 2007.
However, Kavana isn't wasting too much time moping after losing out on The Voice, he's landed the lead role in The Sword And The Dope at London's Courtyard Theatre.

 

Remember me? Cleo Higgins (left), who found fame with her sisters Yonah (centre) and Zainam (right), auditions

Hear'Say singer Danny, 33, found fame on ITV talent show Popstars in 2001 when he was selected to be in the group alongside Kym Lomas, Myleene Klass, Noel Sullivan and Suzanne Shaw.
After the group disbanded in 2002 after 18 months together, Danny has been seen in reality shows The Games and Trust Me - I'm A Beauty Therapist.
Meanwhile, Cleo, 30, is performing without her sisters and Cleopatra bandmates Yonah and Zainam.

 

Critics choice: Soul singer Nate James failed to make a big impact on the charts in the mid Noughties

The three Mancunians burst onto the pop scene in 1998 with their debut single Cleopatra's Theme.
They enjoyed four top five UK singles and starred in two series of their own sitcom Cleopatra Comin' Atcha and Cleopara In The House on CITV.
Meanwhile, Nate, 33, is a more recent name, having arrived on the music scene in 2005 with his debut album Set The Tone.
Despite critical acclaim and award wins, his singles and albums failed to make much of an impact on the charts.

 

We're coming back! The Voice judges Sir Tom Jones, Jessie J, will.i.am and Danny O'Donoghue