The Voice rocked by two shock departures

Updated

The Voice has been rocked by the shock departure of two contestants ahead of Saturday night's first live show.

Chloe Castro is leaving due to "health reasons", while Beth Morris' exit is down to "personal reasons".

A spokesman for the BBC One talent series said in a statement that the reasons for the departures were "unrelated".

"Due to personal reasons which have only just come to light, The Voice producers, the BBC and Beth have agreed that she should withdraw from The Voice," the statement read.

The statement continued: "Due to health reasons, Chloe has withdrawn from the competition. We wish her all the best."

Castro added: "I have decided to leave The Voice for health reasons. I have had a fantastic time and wish all the other contestants all the best in the competition."

Morris thanked her coach Paloma Faith in her statement.

"Being on The Voice has been the best experience of my life, the production team and contestants have all been incredible and I have loved performing on the show.

"Paloma has also been a great support."

The early departures will mean two contestants will leave Saturday's show instead of four.

:: The Voice is broadcast at 7pm on BBC One.

Teenager Castro was a member of Ricky Wilson's team.

The Kaiser Chiefs frontman wished his former charge "the very best" in two messages on Twitter.

"It is with regret that I have to announce that Chloe won't be performing on tonight's show. We'll all miss her and wish her the very best!" he tweeted.

The 19-year-old busker from County Durham sang her way into the live shows with her version of Alive by Sia.

In his second tweet, Wilson said his team were "doing it for her tonight".

Maidenhead singer Morris impressed panellists Faith and will.i.am with her powerful rendition of Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones.

She burst into tears when Faith chose her for the live shows.

The Picking Up The Pieces singer tweeted: "Very sad that @lunalepage Beth won't be performing on @BBCTheVoiceUK from now on."

She added: "What a talent I love you Beth! Missing you already."

In tonight's episode, viewers will vote to determine the finalists who will progress to next week's semi-final.

Bookmakers have made teenager Cody Frost, a member of Boy George's team, the favourite to be crowned winner overall.

Jordan Gray, who was born male and now lives as a female, has also been unwell this week with a virus.

Jordan's coach Faith said she expected the Essex resident would be well enough to perform.

The other finalists are: Kevin Simm, Heather Cameron-Hayes, Harry Fisher, Vangelis, Jolan, Lyrickal, Lauren Lapsley-Browne and Lydia Lucy.

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