Cheryl and Kelly Rowland Party in Manchester Amid 'The Voice' Controversy

Cheryl and Kelly Rowland were seen enjoying a night out at a Manchester gay bar, singing hits from their respective catalogs. The two artists, who are co-stars on the upcoming season of "The Voice UK," were spotted at Via on Canal Street.

Clips shared on social media showed the singers performing Kelly Rowland's 2010 hit "Commander" and Cheryl's own "Fight For This Love." Cheryl, 43, a former Girls Aloud member, wore a vibrant pink and green blazer with high heels, while Rowland, 45, a member of Destiny's Child, donned a PVC jumpsuit.

The outing comes as "The Voice UK" faces controversy over the departure of long-time coach Sir Tom Jones. Cheryl has joined the coaching panel for the new series, alongside fellow new coach Aitch. The show's lineup also sees Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon replace Emma Willis as hosts.

Sir Tom Jones has stated that his departure was not his decision, claiming he was let go by ITV due to financial difficulties with insurance. In a statement, ITV expressed gratitude for Jones's contributions over nine years, calling him "irreplaceable."

Meanwhile, "The Voice UK" coaches, including will.i.am, are reportedly unhappy with how the situation surrounding Jones's exit was handled. Sources suggest that an awkward atmosphere has settled on set, impacting the filming of the new season. Cheryl, in particular, is said to be in an uncomfortable position as she takes over Jones's former chair, a situation described by one source as being "handled atrociously by the bosses."

Cheryl has not been a regular fixture on primetime television for six years, with her last TV role as a dance captain on BBC's "The Greatest Dancer" in 2020. Her return to "The Voice UK" marks a significant television comeback.

ITV has stated they are continuing discussions with Sir Tom Jones and his team regarding his potential involvement in future series, despite him no longer being a full-time coach for series 15.