Leah McFall to join Voice mentors as battle rounds kick off

Former Voice runner-up Leah McFall is to return to the show as a mentor to will.i.am's team, as the show moves into its knockout stages next weekend.

The singer suffered a shock defeat in 2013 when she lost out to partially-sighted performer Andrea Begley in the final - but has since been recording with will.i.am, who was her coach on the series.

And she is set to join his regular co-mentor Dante Santiago in assisting this year's crop of contestants as they prepare for the battle rounds.

Leah is one of a number of 'mentors' who will be joining the coaches in the next stage of the competition.

Kylie Minogue will be accompanied by Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears, while Tom Jones will be joined by rapper Tinie Tempah, and Ricky Wilson wil engage the services of singer Katy B.

Saturday's edition of The Voice UK saw the blind auditions finally draw to a close as the coaches completed their teams.

Next weekend's show will see the battle rounds kick off, with the singers going head to head - as well as the return of the 'steal' twist which allows the coaches to poach rejected singers from other teams.