The Voice UK contestant Ellie Harney has said she feels "completely broken" after the death of her father, Lee Way, which came in the weeks before her audition episode aired on the ITV singing show.
Harney shared an image of her father's funeral details on Instagram on August 10, just weeks before her performance was broadcast on Saturday night.
She wrote alongside the post: "I have no words right now. I feel completely broken, and I don't know how life will ever be okay again. To me, you're still right here. I love you forever Dad. My best friend in the whole world."
The Voice UK returned to screens on Saturday with Harney's episode, in which she performed Billie Eilish's hit "Idontwannabeyouanymore."
Coaches Tom Jones and Danny Jones both turned their chairs for her performance, and Harney chose to join Team Tom and Danny.
After the episode aired, she posted a further emotional message online dedicated to her late father. "Tonight is all for you, my best friend," she wrote. "From the bottom of my heart, I am so grateful for everyone's messages, love and support."
"My heart is hurting more than I can put into words, and I'm just so, so heartbroken that we're not sat together right now, with you singing my songs back to me all day just to prove that you knew every single lyric," she continued.
"I've genuinely never seen someone so excited for anything in my life haha, and I know you'll be right there with me tonight, probably singing louder than anyone. I love you always, my Dad. I promise I will never stop singing, and I'll keep sharing that magical connection you gifted me with everyone who needs to feel it. Everything I do, you'll be a part of. Tonight is for you."
Cheryl linked to Voice UK comeback
Harney's emotional episode aired the same week it was reported that Cheryl is set for a major television comeback as a coach on the new series of The Voice UK.
Cheryl, 43, rose to fame with the girl group Girls Aloud and went on to become a judge on The X Factor. She has not appeared on primetime television in six years, with her last screen role as a dance captain on the BBC's The Greatest Dancer in 2020.
She is now said to have been in talks with show bosses for months, with filming for the new series due to begin on September 11 in Manchester.
A source told The Sun: "Every year producers ask Cheryl to go on the show, and it's a polite 'no' as the timing has never quite been right. This year it's different. She feels ready to re-enter the spotlight and talks are now in the final stages."
The insider added: "Things could come crashing down but with three weeks to go until filming kicks off, the production team is working on the assumption she will be doing it. It helps that long-term friend Will.i.am will be beside her on the panel."
The report said negotiations have reached the stage of discussing Cheryl's hair and makeup budget for the show. The Daily Mail said it had contacted representatives for Cheryl and The Voice UK for comment.
Should Cheryl join the ITV series, it would add to a wider shake-up on the show, amid reports that Alesha Dixon and Stacey Solomon are set to replace departing host Emma Willis.
