The Voice UK singer Beth Morris quits show as she admits she's battling drug addiction

Beth Morris (26), from Berkshire, who was being mentored by Paloma Faith, sensationally quit the programme on Saturday night, just hours before she was due to perform in the quarter finals.

"I am sorry. I am an addict. I have let everybody down on the show. Two years ago I realised I had a problem with drugs. I was using them to cope with various issues in my life," she told The Mirror.

The popular songstress, who was considered a frontrunner to win the show, checked into the Priory clinic for treatment two years ago.

"I made the decision myself to seek treatment and checked into the Priory clinic. It gave me strength and helped me face the world. It changed me for the better," she added.

"But addiction is tough. And I am sorry to say that I have relapsed on a few occasions since I left. When this has happened I have immediately sought help.

"I regularly attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings to help me get back on track. Being in the Priory gave me the tools to face up to my illness and it definitely helped me on the road to recovery."

In a statement released on the BBC website, Beth said: "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 BBC echoed a statement of their own, saying: "Due to personal reasons which have only just come to light, The Voice producers, the BBC and Beth agreed that she should withdraw from The Voice."

A separate contestant Chloe Castro also withdrew from the show at the last minute on Saturday, but the network stressed both situations are unrelated and Chloe left for "health reasons."