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‘Let It Shine’ vs ‘The Voice UK’: Gary Barlow’s New Show Triumphs Over ITV In Ratings Battle

It was a close race, but there could only be one winner.
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By 

Reporter

The latest Saturday night ratings battle has been won by the BBC’s new show ‘Let It Shine’, which pulled in 400,000 more viewers than ‘The Voice UK’.

While each show’s various stars played down talk of a ratings battle, the broadcasters’ schedules meant they went head-to-head, and ‘Let It Shine’ triumphed, with an average of 6.3million viewers watching, according to figures from overnights.tv.

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Amber Riley, Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp are on the 'Let It Shine' panel
BBC Pictures

Meanwhile 5.9 million saw ITV’s new look ‘The Voice UK’ kick off, and there’s more bad news for the channel, as the numbers fall short of the figures previously achieved when the show was on BBC1.

In 2016, the series opener pulled in 7.1 million viewers, while in 2015, 8 million tuned in.

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Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, Gavin Rossdale and will.i.am will be coaching hopefuls on 'The Voice UK'
Ian West/PA Wire

Gary Barlow previously asked critics to ignore ‘Let It Shine’ ratings, telling the BBC: “I think people are ingesting TV in a different way now. That old system of ratings shouldn’t really apply any more.”

Wonder if he’ll change his mind following the triumph?

Later in the week, ‘The Voice’ UK’ coach Sir Tom Jones dismissed talk of a rivalry during an interview with the Huffington Post UK, claiming that “there’s room for both shows”.

His fellow coach will.i.am wasn’t quite so diplomatic when asked the same question. See what he had to say below…

'The Voice' UK: Where Are They Now?
Lydia Lucy (Finalist, 2016)(01 of14)
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will.i.am kept his promise of further support, and Lydia performed with the Black Eyed Peas at the Capital Summertime Ball, just months after her series ended. (credit:BBC)
Jermain Jackman (Winner, 2014)(02 of14)
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It seemed the BBC may finally have found a star with Jermain. Regrettably, this wasn't the case, and his debut album peaked at number 42 in the charts after its 2015 release. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Leanne Mitchell (Winner, 2012)(03 of14)
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Sadly, the show's first ever winner found herself dropped in 2014, after releasing just one album.

Leanne later blamed the fact her label waited too long after her victory on 'The Voice' in releasing the album for its lack of commercial success, claiming she was still happy she didn't "cop out" and release a covers album. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Tyler James (Runner-up, 2012)(04 of14)
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Tyler "I Was Best Friends With Amy Winehouse" James (she's mentioned six times on his Wikipedia page alone) was a fan favourite during the first series of 'The Voice', famously performing a duet with will.i.am dangling from the ceiling.

This didn't translate to a fruitful music career, though, and his last offering in 2012 stalled at number 47 in the UK album chart. (credit:REX/Brian Rasic)
Bo Bruce Runner-up, 2012)(05 of14)
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Despite having the most commercial success of any of the former 'Voice' stars, Bo didn't have an easy time after leaving the competition, and quit her record label after two singles due to a "lack of support", before eventually checking into rehab for exhaustion.

She's since branded former coach DannyO'Donoghue a "wanker" after admitting that they shared a snog while she was still being mentored by him on the show. (credit:Rex/Jason Sheldon)
Vince Kidd (Fourth place, 2012)(06 of14)
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Vince has continued to make music since appearing on the show, releasing four singles, though none managed to chart in the UK. (credit:Rex)
Twinnie Lee Moore (2002)(07 of14)
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She was already a successful musical theatre actress when she auditioned for 'The Voice', but none of the judges turned their chairs for Twinnie.

Since then, she's focussed on acting and in 2014, began playing a McQueen in 'Hollyoaks'. She also, judging from this photo, loves a good hat. (credit:Rex/Tom Horton)
Jamie Johnson (Fourth place, 2014)(08 of14)
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Jamie continued to remain in the public eye after the show, and in 2015, declared that he was going to try and make a splash in America, insisting: "I just don’t want half the cake, I want the whole cake."

While it seems he may not have been successful, Jamie is continuing to make music and keeps fans updated online. (credit:Rex/Beretta/Sims)
Leah McFall (Finalist, 2013)(09 of14)
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Leah's cover of 'I Will Always Love You' may have charted at number 8 while she was on the show, but her efforts after the competition couldn't match it.

Despite support from will.i.am - who invited her to support him on tour - Leah's debut album failed to materialise, and she was quietly dropped by her label. (credit:Neil Lupin via Getty Images)
Andrea Begley (Winner, 2013)(10 of14)
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Andrea famously caused will.i.am to storm off set when she was announced as winner over his act, Leah McFall.

Andrea had huge success - by The Voice's standards... - in 2013, when her debut album charted a number 7.

We haven't heard much from her since then though, and after its release, she completed her Masters degree in Law and Governance... which would appear to suggest we won't be hearing a follow-up anytime soon. (credit:Harlem Mepham via Getty Images)
Max Milner (2012)(11 of14)
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Chart success wasn't Max's forte, but in early 2016, he was still making music and sharing updates with fans. (credit:Rex/Ray Tang)
Sally Barker (Runner-up, 2014)(12 of14)
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Sally may not have been the winner, but she still managed thrash champion Jermain Jackman in terms of single sales, charting 15 places higher than him the week after the show ended.

Following her success on the show, Sally completed a UK tour at the tail-end of 2014. (credit:Alex Huckle via Getty Images)
Bungle (2015)(13 of14)
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From what we can gather, he's still living comfortably with Zippy and George in the 'Rainbow' house, following his brief appearance. (credit:Rex/Freemantle Media Ltd.)
Kevin Simm (Winner, 2016)(14 of14)
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Former Liberty X star Kevin triumphed on what would be the last BBC series of 'The Voice'.

Unfortunately, he couldn't break the show's curse, and his solo album 'Recover', failed to chart when it was released in October 2016. (credit:Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)
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