Michelle John knocked out of The Voice UK final

Michelle John has become the first contestant to be knocked out of the final of The Voice UK.

John, who has toured as a backing singer with Eric Clapton, lost out in a public vote to Mo Adeniran, Jamie Miller and Welsh duo Into The Ark.

It means coach Jennifer Hudson will have two acts in an all-male grand final on Sunday night while Sir Tom Jones will have one.

John, who performed a duet with will.i.am as well as covering Prince's Purple Rain on Saturday night's show, said she "felt like a winner" despite finishing fourth in the ITV singing competition.

Fans on social media were disappointed by her departure.

@LadyElenaUK posted on Twitter: "Who counted the votes? Michelle should clearly be in the final. Her VOICE consistently shows that. @iamwill had an Ace. Gutted!"

Pauline McLearnon wrote: "I voted for Michelle, loved her version of Purple Rain. Upset that she has left the voice but look forward to buying her record."

Amy Bondi said: "Disappointed that Michelle is out! People don't know how to define #thevoice .lost interest already."

Earlier, Team Hudson's Miller opened the show with a cover of Justin Bieber's What Do You Mean? and his performance was compared to the Canadian pop star by will.i.am.

Sir Tom was criticised as "rude" by viewers after telling the singer he would be great if he was "a bit better looking and could dance a bit" before appearing to imply he was joking.

Miller later returned with his coach to perform a duet of Naughty Boy and Beyonce's Runnin' (Lose It All), while Hudson took to the stage with bookies' favourite Adeniran, singing Labrinth and Emeli Sande's Beneath Your Beautiful.

Sir Tom sang Sam and Dave's Hold On, I'm Coming with Into The Ark.

The show launched with a tribute to the late George Michael as the show's four coaches, will.i.am, Sir Tom, Hudson and Gavin Rossdale, performed the pop superstar's hit track Freedom, days after he was laid to rest.

Sunday night's grand final is on ITV 1 at 7pm.