The Voice’s Paloma Faith and Boy George clashed while filming the BBC One talent series, with the Karma Chameleon star branding her as “rude”.

The new additions to the singing show fought for a contestant who’d impressed during the blind auditions segment of the competition at Media City in Manchester.

Paloma Faith
Paloma Faith (BBC/Press Association Images)

In scenes which will be aired when the new series returns in the New Year, both coaches pitched hard for the singer to join their respective team.

The Culture Club singer took his time with his pitch so Paloma playfully pretended to fall asleep. The 34-year-old said tried to laugh it off, but Boy George didn’t see the funny side.

The 54-year-old star told her: “You said you weren’t going to be bitchy and you’re being bitchy. You’ve probably got PMT or something, you were extremely rude.”

Boy George
Boy George (BBC/Press Association Images)

Paloma responded: “When I put my mind to something then I will win.”

During the wait for the next hopeful, Paloma pulled faces at Boy George to lift the atmosphere, but he reprimanded her: “Don’t give it if you can’t take it,” he said.

Fellow panellists will.i.am and Ricky Wilson watched on, with the American doing his best to ease the tension: “That was super intense,” he remarked. “I don’t think I want to go backstage any more; I’ll stay out here instead!”

Will.i.am on The Voice judging panel
Will.i.am on The Voice judging panel (Guy Levy/BBC PICTURES/WALL TO WALL/PA)

Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson said: “The fires have been lit. Here we go!”

According to The Mirror, a spokesperson for The Voice confirmed the incident:

“All four coaches are fighting hard for the best talent on their teams. Competition and banter maybe lively on camera, but professional rivalry is left at the studio door. We think viewers are going to love the genuine passion that our new line up brings to the Voice 2016.”

Boy George has also referenced the incident in a tweet, calling it “banter-mime”.

The Voice returns to BBC One in 2016