One-sided ratings battle continues as Britain’s Got Talent pummels The Voice

The Voice, which is to return for a third series despite falling ratings, drew just 5.7 million viewers as it reached its knockout stages

Dancers 'Attraction' who have made it through to the final of this year's ITV1 talent show, Britain's Got Talent (PA)

Britain’s Got Talent pummelled The Voice in last night’s one-sided ratings battle as the BBC One singing contest drew its lowest audience of the series.

The Voice, which is to return for a third series despite falling ratings, drew just 5.7 million viewers as it reached its knockout stages, losing a further 200,000 from last week.

On ITV, Britain’s Got Talent amassed an average viewer count of 8.6 million including people watching the +1 catch-up service.

Simon Cowell’s variety show, which saw Hungarian shadow dance troupe Attraction and singer Jordan O’Keefe triumph in the last of the semi-finals, peaked at 11.1 million viewers.

The Voice, meanwhile, attracted 6.5 million at its height.

Yesterday, The Voice judge Jessie J fuelled the rivalry between the two shows by joining Sir Bruce Forsyth in condemning Britain’s Got Talent’s policy of allowing children to audition.

“I cannot agree with kids having to go through three or four auditions when it’s purely for ridicule. I don’t understand why it’s legal, I think it’s wrong,” she told The Mirror.

“I watched Britain’s Got Talent auditions and there are these kids getting laughed at by the audience. I’m like, ‘Woah, why?’

Today, the BBC confirmed that finalists from last year’s series of The Voice will return to the show for its first live stage to perform their new releases.

However, series one winner Leanne Mitchell’s album has flopped in the charts. The record had sold fewer than 500 copies when the midweek figures were compiled, generating just a few thousand pounds.