Not the greatest start for newcomer Tom Fletcher!

The Voice UK coach will.i.am can’t stop grinning after Mic Lowry join his team. (ITV screenshot)

What did you miss?

The Voice UK returned for its thirteenth series on Saturday evening, with McFly duo Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones joining LeAnn Rimes as the competition’s newest coaches alongside veterans will.i.am and Sir Tom Jones.

Fletcher and Jones endured a karmic rude awakening during the very first Blind Audition though, with the Liverpudlian quartet Mic Lowry opting to enter Will’s team instead of theirs.

This came after the former Strictly Come Dancing star – Fletcher appeared in the 2021 series, partnering with Amy Dowden – boasted that the lads would benefit most from his and Jones’s band experience, either forgetting about or simply dismissing Will’s time in the Black Eyed Peas.

What, how and why?

Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher react to the first audition. (ITV screenshot)

“Alright look, we are the best qualified to be your coaches, we know exactly what it’s like to live and breathe being in a band for 21 years,” began Fletcher’s hard sell, before claiming the inner-band relationships are the toughest component to keep on track.

“We have been through highs and lows and ups and downs and we have so much experience that we can offer you guys to get you through the rest of the competition.”

Addressing Mic Lowry’s members Delleile, Kaine, Ben and Michael straight afterwards, mega-producer Will alluded to his 29-year history with pop-rap chart-toppers Black Eyed Peas, who have reportedly sold 70 million more albums than McFly worldwide.

“Um… I’ve been in a group for a while as well,” he said. “I’ve got a type of perspective I’d love to share with you guys, so I’d love for you to be on my team.”

Low and behold, the auditionees then announced: “For us being a group, it would be good to have somebody that maybe knows the group dynamic… so we would like to choose Will.”

How did LeAnn’s debut go down on social media?

American singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes is another new addition to the panel. (ITV screenshot)

Meanwhile, fans of The Voice UK were unanimously in favour of ‘How Do I Live’ singer Rimes as a new coach on the panel.

“LeAnn Rimes is a pretty epic signing for the show,” wrote one user X.

Another pair of social media reactions read: “Love that LeAnn is on here, great decision” and “LeAnn Rimes is a welcome addition. I’m enjoying her.”

The Voice UK resumes next Saturday (7 September) on ITV.